Persicaria bistorta | common bistort

Common bistort is a relatively unexciting plant when observed singly, but exceptional when grown in colonies. Lovely pink-lilac bottlebrush flowers rise above a carpet of semi-evergreen foliage from May to August to marvelous effect. Happily, this perennial spreads relatively rapidly so you don't need to break the bank buying them. A little bit of patience is all that is needed.

Easy to grow on poor, moist soil in part shade. Often found growing along roadsides and in damp meadows in the UK where it is native. We grow it in a partially shaded waste area in our garden. 

In northern England, Persicaria bistorta was once commonly used to make savory Easter Ledger pudding, thus common names include: Easter Ledger, Pudding Grass, Pudding Dock. 

Syn. Bistorta officinalis, Polygonum bistorta

Zones: 4 to 8 
Family: Polygonaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 12 to 30 in.
Spread: 18 to 24 in.
Exposure: part shade
Soil: moist, poor
Bloom Time: May to August
Native Range: Europe and Asia