From tall, towering varieties to spreading groundcovers, these perennials offer beautiful fluffy blooms.
Marty Baldwin
It’s not hard to figure out where fleece flower got its name.
The foliage featureslance-shaped leavesthat are often attractively variegated.
Credit:Marty Baldwin
Succulent stems with conspicuous knots at the node give this plant its other common name, knotweed.
Fleece flower is often one of the last plants to emerge in spring.
As soon as the green shoots emerge, fleece flower will take off.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Taller plants may need to bestaked for support.
Locations where the soil is naturally moist, such as a pondside or any other waterside location are ideal.
The best place to plant fleece flower depends on the variety.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Tall varieties are great for the back of a border.
Medium-height plants, which suit the middle of a border, look especially striking in a casual cottage garden.
Mat-forming groundcover species of fleece flower arewell-suited to rock gardensor for planting between stepping stones on a walkway.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
The relatively coarse texture of the leaves forms an attractive contrast against garden plants with finer foliage.
How and When to Plant Fleece Flower
Plant fleece fllower in the spring.
Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the pot and about the same depth.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Place the plant in the pot and fill in original soil to the top of the root ball.
Gently tamp down the soil and water it well.
Keep the soil evenly moist for a few weeks until the plant is established.
Credit: Mavis Augustine Torke
Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart, depending on the variety.
Low-growing varieties for groundcover borders can be planted closer together.
Mulch around the plants to preserve soil moisture.
Fleece Flower Care Tips
Fleece flower requires only basic maintenance.
Light
Fleece flower grows in partial shade andfull sunbut thrives in full sun.
Fleece flower grows in average to wet soil conditions.
It thrives in moist conditions but once established, also tolerates some drought.
Temperature and Humidity
These are rugged plant that withstand both cold winters and hot and humid summers.
Some varieties boast foliage that takes on intense hues in extreme heat or cold.
Fleece flower is tolerant of urban pollution.
Fertilizer
Fleece flower is a vigorously growing plant that usually does not need any fertilizer.
Be careful not to injure the crown when pruning.
Use well-draining potting mix and ensure the pot has large drainage holes.
Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil.
Repotting should be done when the plant outgrows its pot or when the center dies out.
Pests and Problems
Fleece flower is unaffected by major pests or diseases.
The most commonly occurring pests areaphids,Japanese beetles,slugs, and snails.
The plant is deer-tolerant.
Keep it watered until you see new growth.
Native fleece flower species (Persicaria virginiana,P.
punctata) are started from seed.
The seeds need 60 days ofcold moist stratification before planting themin pots or garden soil in the early spring.
Giant fleece flower adds vertical interest to the back of a border.
It also makes a great focal-point plant.
Zone 4-8
Mountain Fleece
Also known as red bistort,Persicaria amplexicaulisis native to the Himalayas.
It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, bearing tiny flowers on narrow, pencil-thin long stalks.
You will most likely find it offered as cultivars.
Golden Arrow is a compact cultivar with golden foliage and cardinal-red flowers and Alba has white flowers.
The cultivar Superbahas pink-lavender bottlebrush-like flowers in early to mid-summer and rich red fall foliage.
It was bred to be sterile so it wont reseed.
It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and bears white flowers in the summer.
The plants share a preference for consistent moisture throughout the growing season.
These blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Once the flowers begin to fade, the seeds will ripen and puff up to add more late-season interest.
Zones 3-10
Goldenrod
Several types of goldenrod (Solidagospp.)
are native to North America, and are powerhouses of late summer and fall color.
They can get 4-5 feet tall, so give these perennials plenty of room.
The design features easy-care, summer-blooming perennials such as daylilies, phlox, and hostas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some fleece flowers are invasive.
When planting fleece flower, seek out non-invasive or native varieties.
In general, named cultivars are not invasive and spread slowly.
There are both annual and perennial fleece flowers.
All the varieties listed above are perennials.
A popular annual fleece flower iskiss-me-over-the-garden-gate (Persicaria orientalis), an old-fashioned cottage garden plant.
