Trial: Perennial
Years Trialed: 1998, 1999Good Qualities
Year 1
Wonderful pink color pink (4); Long vase life (3); Looked good in our posy bundles; Great plant. Customers liked it. I loved it.Year 2
Great crimson color (2); This is a surprising plant. It looks nice when it is kept damp and it is very productive; Very airy. Very strong grower; Flowered all season and looked best in fall; Good length and good production; Long lasting.Problems
Year 1
It regrew slowly after being cut. Short blooms; We are learning when to cut. Takes many stems to make a bunch 20-25; Hard to know when it's ready to cut.Year 2
Keeping roots wet. Overwintering (must be mulched heavily). Roots tend to come up out of ground; Lots of stems to make a bunch; Unable to sell because foliage turned reddish brown like it was burnt.Year 2
More delicate and latter bloomer than Persicaria bistorta superba; Very vigorous.Trial Data
Year 1
| Yield (stems/plant)¹ | Stem Length (inches)¹ | Market Appreciation Rating² | Repeat Again Rating² | Ease of Cultivation Rating² | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 14.1 | 23.6 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
¹Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
²1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Year 2
| Yield (stems/plant)¹ | Stem Length (inches)¹ | Market Appreciation Rating² | Repeat Again Rating² | Ease of Cultivation Rating² | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 49.0 | 26.4 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.8 |
¹Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
²1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
Green Leaf Enterprises 2369 Old Philadelphia Pike Lancaster, PA 17602 717-299-0300 FAX 717-299-7162perennials@yoder.com
Comments
Year 1
The real test - will it overwinter in zone 3. Very hot dry summer; This is a winner! I have been cutting on these plants for 6 weeks. Florists love it - spike with great color; Excellent product. Good response after we introduced to buyers. Will do more; This dries very well. Florists really like this one; I have been growing Polygonum supurbum for 3 years and have yet to sell a good stem. It is just too short. Maybe this year - plants look good!; I hope this one makes it through the winter but I'm not sure. I loved it. Great in bouquets. Nice to have a spiky flower that color.