Plants in family polygonaceae
Homalocladium platycladum
Homalocladium platycladum, known for its bright green segmented stems, grows in a bushy habit reaching 5 to 6 feet tall. Leaves appear on new growth but eventually drop off, making it a unique addition to any plant collection.
Fagopyrum esculentum
Fagopyrum esculentum, commonly known as buckwheat, is a fast-growing plant that improves soil health and smothers weeds. It produces white flowers that attract beneficial insects and is sensitive to cold. Its quick growth and breakdown make it an effective cover crop.
Polygonum microcephalum
Polygonum microcephalum, known as small-headed knotweed, is a sprawling perennial with dramatic foliage. The 'Red Dragon' cultivar has dark purple or burgundy leaves with a silver stripe, and it produces clusters of small white flowers in summer.
Polygonella polygama
Polygonella polygama, commonly known as the October flower, is a native perennial found from Virginia to Texas. It thrives in dry, acidic sandy soils and features thin, woody stems with needle-like foliage. This plant bursts into white flowers in early October, attracting native bee populations.
Persicaria odorata
Persicaria odorata, also known as Vietnamese coriander, is a perennial herb used extensively in Southeast Asian and Northeast Indian cuisine. It is not related to mint but belongs to the Polygonaceae family. This plant is a staple in dishes like laksa and is often used fresh in salads and spring rolls. It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, preferring full sun and well-drained soil, and is resistant to deer and rabbits. Rarely flowering outside the tropics, it can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.
Rumex acetosa
Rumex acetosa, commonly known as sorrel, is a perennial herb high in vitamin C. It remains green after frost and its spring leaves are used as salad greens or a complement to fish. This plant is a versatile addition to culinary gardens.
Eriogonum longifolium
Eriogonum longifolium is a native plant of the lower Midwest, thriving in dry sandy soils. It features a rosette of dark green, silvery-backed leaves and 2-foot tall flower spikes with small hairy white flowers that bloom in early July. Historically, its roots were used as food and medicine by Native American tribes, and it is valued for ornamental use in rock gardens.
Fagopyrum acutatum
Fagopyrum acutatum, a perennial buckwheat native to the Himalayas, features a deciduous mass of fleshy stalks and sweet potato-like foliage. It grows up to 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide, with creamy variegation on its leaves and small white flowers in late summer. This plant is used medicinally for various ailments and adds a unique touch to gardens.
Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon'
Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon' is a striking plant with dark burgundy-red stems and tricolor leaves of purple, silver, and green. It produces tiny white flowers from midsummer to fall and is known for not being a runner. The plant's tips may root if the soil is moist, adding to its unique growth habit.
Polygonum cuspidatum 'Freckles'
Polygonum cuspidatum 'Freckles' is a plant with 6-foot tall, arching, bamboo-looking stems and heavily white-speckled leaves. The leaves take on a reddish cast in full sun, and the plant produces short red spikes of flowers in September. It has shown no seedlings or running in more than 10 years.
Reynoutria japonica
Reynoutria japonica, commonly known as Japanese knotweed, is a perennial plant with heart-shaped leaves and white freckles. It is a slow spreader, forming a semi-clump in sandy soil and is virtually sterile in terms of seed production. In September and November, it is topped with feathery white plumes. This plant is adaptable to various light conditions, thriving in sun to light shade. It is a unique addition to gardens, providing texture and interest with its distinctive foliage and plumes.
Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette'
Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette' is a perennial plant reaching 18 inches tall with wiry stems and distinctive 3-inch oval leaves marked with a black chevron. The leaves also feature a white-and-pink sector at the tip. In late summer, the plant is topped with airy stalks of tiny red beads. It prefers moist soils but is drought tolerant, making it a versatile addition to gardens.
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Golden Arrow'
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Golden Arrow' is a Himalayan-native plant with striking lance-shaped golden leaves. It forms a 2-foot tall clump and produces rosy pink flowers from July through October. This plant thrives in half-day sun and moist soil, making it a vibrant addition to summer gardens.
Rheum rhabarbarum 'Victoria'
Rheum rhabarbarum 'Victoria' is a perennial vegetable with green stalks blushed with pinks and reds. It is disease-resistant and produces bold white blooms in summer, though its leaves are non-edible.
Persicaria 'Brushstrokes'
Persicaria 'Brushstrokes' is a perennial plant with darker green, thicker leaves than its relative 'Painters Palette'. It features a velvety appearance with a dark chevron pattern and grows in upright clumps about 2 feet tall. In very late fall, it produces red-flowering antennae, adding a unique touch to gardens.
Polygonum cuspidatum 'Crimson Beauty'
Polygonum cuspidatum 'Crimson Beauty' is selected for its flower color and clumping habit, growing upright to 7 feet on bamboo-like stalks. It flowers from late August to late November, with blooms changing from white to fiery red and back to white. This plant is great for drying and does not run or take over, making it a controlled choice for gardens.
Persicaria capitata
Persicaria capitata, also known as Pink Knotweed, is a deciduous groundcover with small green leaves marked by a reddish-brown chevron. It blooms with tiny pink button-like flowers from late September through October. This plant is used medicinally and is known for its drought tolerance and ability to attract insects.
Rheum rhabarbarum 'Canada Red'
Rheum rhabarbarum 'Canada Red' is a rhubarb variety with ruby-red stalks and large, ruffled leaves. The stalks are used in culinary dishes, while the leaves are toxic. This cold-hardy plant grows new stalks until frost and requires full sun and good drainage. It is low maintenance, with harvesting beginning in early spring and ending in late summer.
Rheum rhabarbarum 'Chipman's Canada Red'
Rheum rhabarbarum 'Chipman's Canada Red' is a perennial known for its ruby-red stalks that hold their color when cooked. It grows large, heart-shaped leaves and is drought-tolerant once established. This plant is easy to grow and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil.