Persicaria runcinata Purple Fantasy - Knotweed

Persicaria runcinata 'Purple Fantasy' is a variety of knotweed or persicaria, it forms a carpet of very unique leaves, triangular in shape, with shades of green, marked with a brown V in the center, and edged with silver. The white summer flowering occurs in small clusters. This fast-growing perennial can tolerate slightly challenging conditions, in moist soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Persicaria runcinata 'Purple Fantasy' is a plant from the family Polygonaceae, with origins in the Himalayas, which gives it good hardiness and ease of cultivation. It is a perennial that forms a 50 cm (20in) tall carpet that spreads rapidly. This plant produces suckers, but without ever becoming invasive. One plant forms a carpet of about 1m² in 5 to 6 years, composed of thin branches like wire, bearing unique small leaves. Remarkably decorative, the foliage is in the form of small elongated triangles, with shades of green edged with silver and highlighted with a brown V in the center of the lamina. The green areas turn purple later in the season. This knotweed produces spikes composed of tiny white flowers, much appreciated by bees, at the axil of the leaves, located at the end of the stems, from July to September, or even October. Note that the name of this plant Persicaria runcinata is somewhat uncertain and it also exists under the name 'Yunnan's Giant'.

Very cold-resistant, Persicaria 'Purple Fantasy' grows in any exposure, as long as the soil is moist and rich. Note that it tolerates heavy and wet soils very well. It will fit well in contemporary gardens as well as in gardens with a wild look, and will form colorful patches with Geranium macrorrhizum, Ajuga reptans or Lamium maculatum. Thanks to its spreading habit, it can be used as a ground cover, making sure to leave enough space for it. It can be grown equally well on sunny pond banks or in a cool and semi-shaded woodland area at the base of trees.