Persicaria ‘Bloody Mary’ might not appear behind you if you say its name three times in the mirror, but it is guilty of always looking fabulous and stealing the show! With its vibrant, intensely coloured spikes of red-pink flowers, this variety of knotweed brings a sense of occasion to any garden. It’s a medium-sized clump-forming perennial that flourishes in both sun and shade, so long as its roots are kept moist. Whether your garden style leans towards the wild and naturalistic or the sleek and contemporary, this easy-to-grow showstopper slots right in.

How to care for Persicaria ‘Bloody Mary’ Flowering time: July to October Location: Borders, meadows, woodland garden, pond edges Soil: Suited to a range of rich soils, including heavy clay soils.  Light: Full sun to partial shadeWater: Well suited to moist, damp areas Care: No pruning necessary. Can be left in the ground over winter Size: 70cm height x 50cm spread

What’s different about Persicaria ‘Bloody Mary’?

The Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Bloody Mary’ is a superstar of the knotweed family, generating vivid pinkish-red spikes that flower from summer to autumn. At a mature height of around 70cm (28in), it forms dense clumps of lance-shaped foliage that darken to a dramatic purple in the autumn before retreating for winter.

This perennial is hardy, vigorous and surprisingly low-maintenance – as long as it’s planted in Not one to be a wallflower, ‘Bloody Mary’ has a habit of standing out in borders, by ponds, or alongside paths, adding a pop of colour and a lush, full look to your garden.

During its extended flowering period (July to October), its slender spikes – 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) long – are a magnet for the eye, while its lush green leaves, which are velvety underneath, make an excellent backdrop for its blooms. Come autumn, the leaves’ fiery transformation turns the entire plant into a seasonal statement.

Its versatility means it works in contemporary gardens alongside sharp-edged grasses or in more relaxed spaces, mingling with Rodgersias, bugbanes, and Astilboides tabularis. Whatever your aesthetic, ‘Bloody Mary’ has you covered. Literally – it makes a fantastic ground cover too, given enough room to sprawl.

How was Persicaria ‘Bloody Mary’ created?

As a true testament to its fiery colour, it was indeed its flash of red that caught the eye of its breeder, leading to its development. Coen Jansen of Coen Jansen Vaste Planten in Dalfsen, the Netherlands, tells us:

“I grow quite a lot of Persicarias, and about five to six years ago, I found a seedling in full flower close to a clump of P. ‘Fat Domino’ – a good red one. The seedling had notably more brilliant red flowers, in an almost luminous shade of red – it really stood out! It is a bit difficult to take good pictures of it, as they usually don’t show the real difference.

“After discovering this plant, we propagated it over two years until we had enough to sell, and after showing it to Peter at Plantipp, he became really enthusiastic about it. As they say, the rest is history. The first sales on a somewhat bigger scale were in 2023.

“I’m always looking for new colours in herbaceous plants, seedlings are always allowed to flower, and quite often we find new things worth propagating.”

Where can you plant Persicaria ‘Bloody Mary’?

‘Bloody Mary’ is one of those plants that seems tailor-made for all the tricky garden spots where others give up. Got heavy, wet soil? No problem. Need something for a partially shady woodland edge? Sorted. Want a splash of colour by a pond? Done. It thrives in damp, rich soils – think clayey, silty-loamy, or anything with a bit of heft and plenty of compost.

This knotweed is equally happy in sunny borders or the soggy ground by a water feature. For best results, plant in spring or autumn, enriching the soil with organic fertiliser to keep this vigorous grower satisfied. While it can survive the odd dry spell, ‘Bloody Mary’ prefers consistent moisture, so mulch in summer and water during droughts if needed.

To keep it looking its best (and to stop it muscling in on the neighbours), divide clumps every three years in autumn. Not only will this keep it in check, but it also gives you more plants to spread the joy (or to gift to friends – what a thoughtful present!).

Where can you buy Persicaria ‘Bloody Mary’?

Persicaria ‘Bloody Mary’ is available in the UK from Proctors Nursery and Caths Garden Plants, in the Republic of Ireland from Promesse de Fleurs, and Le Jardin du PicVert in the EU.

Plant of the Month is sponsored by Plantipp, a company based in The Netherlands who handle the introduction of new plants into Europe.

See every Plant of the Month here.

Images courtesy of Plantipp.