Persicaria amplexicaulis var. pendula - Mountain Fleece

The Persicaria amplexicaulis var. pendula, also known as  Persicaria 'Arun Gem', is a beautiful wild form of knotweed collected in Nepal, and one of the most floriferous perennial plants to have in a garden. It forms a lovely mass of leafy stems and establishes vigorously without becoming uncontrollable. It distinguishes itself from the species by its gracefully arching flower spikes, with a washed magenta red hue in their first half, and blooms continuously from July until the first frost. A fabulous ground cover that fits well in a naturalistic garden, much like tall grasses. 

Persicaria or Polygonum amplexicaulis var.pendula is a plant belonging to the family of polygonaceae. It is a spontaneous form of P. amplexicalis, discovered by Beer, Roy Lancaster, and Morris, British botanists, during an expedition in the Himalayas. This rhizomatous and semi-evergreen perennial plant is now naturalized in the British Isles. It forms a tuft of 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) in height when in flower and spreads rather quickly, depending on the soil fertility, and can form imposing clumps after several years. Particularly floriferous, this 'Arun Gem' knotweed produces numerous curiously curved flower spikes, 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) long, at the axil of leaves located at the end of brown stems. The flower spikes are composed of many small flowers that are very dark pink when in bud, becoming magenta red when fully open, with a matte finish. The flowering is continuous from July to October, if the soil doesn't dry out too much. The leaves, borne by reddish and sturdy stems, are ovate to cordate, lanceolate, measuring 15 cm (6in) in length, and are embracing, dark green, villous on the underside, and turn violet in autumn.

Very versatile, deserving, just like the perennial geraniums 'Rozanne' and 'Jolly Bee', the title of the most floriferous perennial plant, this knotweed fits well in contemporary gardens as well as in wilder settings and creates stunning autumn scenes when paired with grasses like Miscanthus and Panicum. Thanks to its spreading habit, it can be used as a ground cover, as long as it is given enough space. This knotweed enjoys both sun and partial shade, and tolerates occasional drought. It prefers rich and heavy, moist or even very wet soil, and can be cultivated independently on sunny pond banks, along a sunken path, or in a cool and partially shaded woodland at the base of trees. Asters, Japanese anemones, and inulas make good companions for knotweeds, both in the garden and in bouquets, as they also flower until autumn. The Selinum wallichianum and the Thalictrum delavayi 'Album' create an interesting contrast alongside it, against a backdrop of deciduous euonymus, the Viburnum x hillieri 'Winton', splendid in autumn.