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Care of the plant Persicaria maculosa or Redshank.

Care of the plant Persicaria maculosa or Redshank

The genus Persicaria, family Polygonaceae, comprises 100 species of herbaceous, perennial, and annual plants native to all continents. Some species are: Persicaria maculata, Persicaria affinis, Persicaria capitata, Persicaria odorata, Persicaria bistorta, Persicaria lapathifolia, Persicaria amphibia.

Common names: Jesusplant, Redshank, Spotted lady's thumb, Lady's thumb. This species is native to Eurasia.

They are annual herbaceous plants that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. The lanceolate leaves are deep green. The showy flower panicles contain small pink, white or red flowers. They bloom in summer and fall.

This fast-growing plant is used in edging, in borders, next to ponds and streams, and to cover damp slopes.

Persicaria maculosa grows in exposures of full sun (temperate climates) and semi-shade (warm climates). Frost resistant to -15 ºC (5 ºF).

The soil can be normal garden soil with some coarse sand and plenty of organic matter. Planting can be done in spring, summer or autumn.

Water regularly so the substrate never dries out completely. Redshank does not resist drought.

Fertilize with compost in early spring.

Prune wilted inflorescences. At the end of winter, prune intensively and control its expansion because it tends to be invasive.

Persicaria maculosa is a plant quite resistant to the usual pests and diseases but it can be attacked by aphids if it suffers from drought.

Redshank is propagated from seeds sown in spring and by division in late winter.

Images of the plant Persicaria maculosa or Redshank

Persicaria maculosa
Persicaria maculosa
Persicaria maculosa
Persicaria maculosa
Persicaria maculosa