How to plant and care for Persicaria (Firetail)

Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail'

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Bushy clumps topped with slender, bright crimson "candles" from July to the frosts. Thrives in moist soil and copes with part shade.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

On planting day
Plant
Plant at the same depth as it was in its pot, 90 cm apart, and firm in.
0–1 days after “Plant”
Water In Well
Give a full can of water, then keep moist for the first few weeks while roots establish.
7–14 days after “Water In Well”
Mulch Around the Base
Spread 5 cm of compost or bark around the plant, keeping it off the stems.

March
Divide Big Clumps
Every 3–4 years, lift big clumps, split them into fist-sized pieces with a spade and replant the young outer parts.
August
In Flower
Crimson spikes — a long season.
November
Cut Back
Cut stems to the ground once frost blackens them.