POLYGONUM capitatum

Graceful evergreen perennial herbaceous plant with a typical ground cover. Originally from China, it has a very rapid growth rate so it can easily cover large surfaces in a short time and tends to behave like a weed. It has numerous thin and slightly fleshy stems that crawl on the ground and which, at the axil of the leaves, can emit new roots thus anchoring the plant to the ground. The leaves are oval, light green in color and with typical dark patches in the central part: they tend to become reddish in case of strong water stress. From late spring and up to the first cold, thin stems rise from the foliage leading to small spherical inflorescences, formed by numerous pink flowers.

Easy to grow plant that needs a sunny position even if it grows quite well even in semi-shade situations where the foliage will be more luxuriant, only the flowering could be a little less abundant. It is suitable for any type of soil even if it prefers fresh, loose and well-drained ones, it tolerates drought, but in the hottest periods regular irrigations can be useful both for the foliage and flowering. It suffers from frost especially if intense and prolonged which could damage the upper part of the plant; however, it often restores with the first spring warmth. After the vegetative restart, the terminal parts of the stems can be removed in order to make the plant thicker and more compact. It is also good for vases where it will show its soft hanging posture; in open ground it can be used to cover flower beds, slopes, rock gardens and the base of ornamental trees and shrubs.