This herbaceous perennial has a spreading short rhizome with upright foliage and forms a dense clump. It has large dark green oblong leaves and the tiny pink cup-shaped flowers appear in a cylindrical spike high above the foliage during spring.

Hardiness zones 3 to 9

Persicaria bistortais naturally found from the UK to northern and central Europe and extending to western and central Asia growing in damp meadows and woodlands, commonly associated with water courses. It can be found from sea level to an altitude of 1,200 m (3,937 ft) or more and can form large colonies under ideal conditions.

It prefers an open sunny to semi-shaded position and grows in well-drained moist to wet organic rich soil that is tending acidic with a pH range from 5a.6-7.6. It is also adaptable to chalky or heavy clay soils and in drier soils. It is drought tender and becomes dormant under dry conditions but is frost and rabbit resistant.

European Bistorta is grown for its flowers, foliage and its clumping habit. It is planted in small or cottage gardens in beds or along borders and is also planted in damp or boggy areas around water features such as ponds or streams.

It is suitable for the inland and low-mountain regions and establishes in 2-3 years. It It may be used in pots and tubs or planter boxes and the leaves are used for culinary purposes and roots for herbal remedies. In a woodland setting care must be taken as it will spreads quickly under ideal conditions.

Persicaria (per-sih-KAR-ee-uh) bistorta(bis-TOR-tuh)

Polegonaceae (POL-ee-gon-AY-see-ee)