Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon'
Small flowered knotweed
Also known as Persicaria 'Red Dragon', Polygonum 'Red Dragon'
- Height × spread
- 1m × 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An exotic but hardy plant that comes from China. It has large triangular leaves that are coloured in shades of plum red and purple with a grey central area. There are small, starry white flowers in late summer, but these are of little consequence. This is a superb foliage plant. If happy it will spread over a considerable area and become a major foliage feature. It goes a coppery red colour in autumn before leaf fall.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Grey, Mahogany, Red
- Autumn foliage
- Red-copper
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
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