Highlander: plant varieties and cultivation characteristics. Many-faced giant: Sakhalin knotweed Knotweed plant

One of the most numerous and diverse is the knotweed; there are more than 300 species of it. This is an annual or perennial plant, in the form of grass or vines, flowering or not. Found everywhere. Looks great in small groups in the foreground, covering outbuildings. There is no clear relationship to this plant. Most representatives retain their decorative properties throughout the season. Next, we will take a closer look at the species that have taken root in our latitudes.

Alpine

In nature, it is found in steppes and mountain meadows. It has branched stems up to 1.5 m high, a strongly creeping rhizome and lanceolate-ovate foliage.

The fruit is a triangular shiny brown nut. Blooms in July–August, ripens in September. It is very unpretentious and aggressive, which has earned it the name of an ornamental weed. Other names for Alpine knotweed: Bashkir cabbage, Alpine buckwheat.

Did you know? During the flowering process, the related knotweed flowers change their color from pale pink to pinkish-red.

Ayansky

Grows on rocky slopes. Reaches 30-40 cm in height.

The leaves are elliptical in shape with short calyxes and are sometimes hairy. The stem is splayed, branched, erect. The flowers are collected in small inflorescences located at the tops of the branches and the main stem. The perianth is white or pinkish.

Weiricha

It grows wild on mountain slopes. Unpretentious.

Grows as a huge shrub, reaching 2 m in height, the stems have dense foliage and strong branching. Blooms in late summer. The inflorescence is racemose with small white inconspicuous flowers. The soil it prefers is loam.

Important! Despite the fact that the knotweed is an unpretentious flower, it is very aggressive towards other plants.

Viviparous

Found in swamps and swampy meadows. Perennial shrub up to 50 cm in height. The stem is erect, glabrous.

The bract plates are quite rigid, with edges turned downwards and of various shapes. Loose narrow inflorescence with white or pale pink perianth. The fruit is 3 mm in size, triangular. Blooms from to August.

Capitate

Strongly branched, annual, creeping, quickly covers the soil. The stems reach 10-15 cm. The medium-sized leaves have reddish stripes and spots.

When grown in partial shade, they have less decorative coloring. Small round pale pink inflorescences are located slightly above the leaves. Suitable for growing in pots. Blooms from June until the onset of frost.

Volatile

The perennial bush, reaching 2 m in height, has hollow branching stems up to 2 cm thick with lanceolate bracts, the length of which is about 10 cm.

Polygonum has large, white, paniculate inflorescences and a spicy, sweet aroma. Blooms from June-July to mid-August. Grows well in any soil.

Related

A low herbaceous evergreen plant. The stems rise 20-25 cm above the ground, the leaves are oval-lanceolate. Divided into two varieties.

One has pink flowers, the other has pink-red flowers. After flowering, the fruits and flowers turn dark red. It blooms for about three months, starting in May. Not picky about soil. Looks good in dry bouquets.

Important! If the spread of the flower needs to be contained, then you need to dig a fence around it to a depth of 30 cm.

Sakhalin

A perennial plant with stems up to 3 m high, green or brown. The flowers are creamy-whitish, collected in paniculate inflorescences. Bears fruit.

The fruit looks like a dark brown nut, triangular in shape. The leaves reach 20 cm in width and 30 cm in length. It blooms for about 1.5 months, starting from July–August. Sakhalin knotweed also has another name - Sakhalin buckwheat.

Did you know? The tallest type of knotweed is Baljuan, its stems reach 15 m in length.

Candle-shaped

The bush reaches a height of 0.8-1.2 m, perennial. The decoration is scarlet inflorescences, which appear in early July and bloom until the end of August.

The foliage is wide, green, and turns yellow in autumn. Because the roots grow slowly, knotweed looks like a compact bush. Candleweed knotweed has many varieties with different flower colors: white, crimson, pink, scarlet.

Did you know? Sakhalin buckwheat is otherwise called Siberian bamboo due to the thickness and height of its stems.

Virginia

Subshrub 50 cm high. Blooms with white-green flowers. It has several varieties, and accordingly, different leaf colors.

Perennial rhizomatous plants with basal and stem oblong-oval leaves. The flowers are collected in racemes at the tops of the stems.

General information about knotweed

knotweed (polygonum), buckwheat family.
Number: About 300 species.
Place of Origin: Common in warm temperate and tropical regions of the northern hemisphere and South America.
Use: In low hedges, in landscaping the lower parts of walls. Valued for its bright green, dense foliage.

And also in small groups in the foreground of the flower bed, on the edge of the pond.
Flowering: Flowering in summer.

Varieties of knotweed

Related knotweed (Polygonum affine)

Mountain meadows of Nepal.
The height of the peduncles is up to 30 cm. The flowers are pink-crimson, collected in cylindrical racemes. Light. Loose soils without stagnant water. Forms dense clumps.

Alpine knotweed (Polygonum alpestre)

A perennial plant with a woody, multi-headed dark brown rhizome. The stems are numerous, prostrate, densely leafy, with shortened internodes, 5-25 cm long. The leaves are ovate-oblong, with a small pointed point, about 2 cm long and up to 8 mm wide, very short-petiolate, rough along the edge due to the presence of unicellular villi, reduced towards the end of the branches, but longer than the flowers. The perianth is 5-7 mm long, the flesh is red or pink, with deeply incised lobes. The achene is about 3.5 mm long, oval-triangular, shiny.
Distribution: Caucasus (Dagestan, East and South Transcaucasia, Talysh), Asia Minor, Western Iran.

Mountain knotweed (Polygonum alpinum)

It grows wild in forb steppes and mountain meadows in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Grows into powerful spreading bushes up to 150 cm tall. The stems are numerous, branched at the top. Leaves are lanceolate-ovate. The rhizome is cord-like, strongly creeping. It blooms very profusely in mid-summer. The flowers are numerous, white, collected in large dense panicles. Winter-hardy without shelter. An extremely unpretentious, aggressive, but very ornamental weed. Good for planting near outbuildings and fences. Interesting in a cut.

Buckwheat (Polygonum ammanioides)

A perennial plant with a woody, often thick rhizome. The stems are numerous, elongated, recumbent, densely leafy, with shortened internodes. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, up to 1.5 cm long and 3 mm wide, rough along the edges, short-petiolate, longer than the internodes. The bells are oval-lanceolate, transparent white. Perianth with large lobes, equal in length to the peduncle. The flowers are in the axils of the leaves in dense balls. The achene is about 3 mm long, triangular, pointed, shiny. Distribution: Caucasus (Pre-Caucasian, East and South Transcaucasian, Talysh), Iran.

Amphibian knotweed (Polygonum amphibium /Persicaria amphibia)

Perennial. The amphibian knotweed has a long, rooting stem without branches. Dense oblong leaves float on the surface of the water. A spike-shaped inflorescence of bright pink flowers protrudes above the water. Amphibian knotweed blooms from mid-summer to autumn. This plant has two forms that are so different in appearance that they can be mistaken for different plants. The floating species settles in ponds, lakes, rivers, sometimes at quite great depths. The leaves of this plant are smooth, with long reddish petioles, with crescent-shaped bases. The terrestrial form is found in wet meadows, along river banks, and also as a weed in fields and vegetable gardens. The plant is completely covered with short, stiff hairs. The leaves have a small petiole and no notch at the base. Terrestrial knotweeds almost never bloom. The inflorescence of the amphibian knotweed resembles the pink inflorescence of its close relative, the snakeweed knotweed.

Candleweed knotweed (Polygonum amplexicaule)

Homeland Himalayas. Mountain meadows.
Perennial bushy plant. The stems are straight, 80-120 cm high. The leaves are wide, lanceolate, green, yellow in autumn. The inflorescences are ruby-red, in long, tightly pressed spikes. Blooms in late August - September.

Sandy knotweed (Polygonum arenarium)

An annual plant, with spreading, branched, recumbent stems, 15-30 cm long. The bells are funnel-shaped, with 6 or less veins, transparent at the top, white, torn. Leaves are up to 2.5 cm long, 0.5 mm wide, few in number, linear-lanceolate, sharp, single-nerved. The inflorescence is a multi-branched leafless raceme with 1-3 arranged flowers. The perianth is 2-3 mm long, whitish or pinkish, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, wide open, with rounded lobes. The achene is 2 mm long, triangular, dark brown, smooth, sitting openly. Distribution: Caucasus (Pre-Caucasian, Eastern, Western and Southern Transcaucasian), European part (Middle Dnieper, Black Sea, Lower Don), Central Europe (south only), Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor.

Silver knotweed (Polygonum argyrocoleum)

An annual plant with widely spread twig-like, branched, furrowed, usually erect, strong stems, 30-90 cm tall, with elongated internodes. The bells are short, with dark brown bases, silvery at the top, with chopped off, later fringed, upper edges. Leaves are 1-4 cm long, 4-8 mm wide, lanceolate, acute, with one vein, narrowed at both ends, falling off early. An inflorescence of long, leafless, intermittent, twig-like racemes, with 1-3 flowers, on thin pedicels. The perianth is about 2 mm long, bell-shaped, bright pink or whitish. The achene is about 2 mm long, smooth, shiny, enclosed in a perianth.
Distribution: Caucasus (Pre-Caucasian, East and South Transcaucasian, Talysh), Central Asia (Aral-Caspian, Balkhash, Kara-Kum), Turkish Armenia, Kurdistan.

Aubert's knotweed (Polygonum aubertii)

Homeland - Western China.
A low climbing shrubby vine. The trunk is not very woody. The shoots are slightly woody. The leaves are ovate, up to 4-9 cm long, spear-shaped at the base, wavy along the edges, bright green when mature and reddish when young. The flowers are small, up to 5 mm in diameter, whitish or greenish-white, sometimes slightly pinkish, collected in numerous racemes in the upper part of the shoots. Blooms in summer. The fruits are inconspicuous, small, whitish, ripen in late summer - early autumn. In culture since the end of the 19th century.
Propagated by sowing seeds. Prefers fertile, moderately moist soils, tolerates partial shade. In central Russia, the above-ground part sometimes dies off in winter, but quickly grows to a height of 2-3 m. No pests or diseases were noted. Used in low hedges and in landscaping the lower parts of walls. Valued for its bright green, dense foliage.

Bird knotweed (Polygonum aviculare)

An annual plant, with straight, ascending or recumbent, densely leafy stems, 15-40 cm long. The leaves are broadly spatulate, broadly elliptic or inversely oval-oblong, less often narrowly oblong or almost linear, on the branches they differ little from those on the stem. Flowers 1-5 in the axils of the leaves, not close to the ends of the branches. Perianth divided to the middle, equal to or 11/2-2 times longer than the tube; its lobes are greenish, with white or pink edges. The achene is 2 (3) mm long, triangular, with an oval base, usually black.
Distribution: Caucasus (almost all), European part, Western and Eastern Siberia, Far East, Central Asia.

Baldzhuan knotweed / Baldzhuan buckwheat (Polygonum baldschuanicum / Bilderdykia baldschuanicum / Fallopia baldschuanica)

Homeland - Central Asia.
Liana, stems reach 15 m in length. Young shoots are smooth, green, older shoots are gray. The leaves are broadly oval or oval up to 10 cm long, pointed, heart-shaped or spear-shaped at the base, smooth, light green, on petioles up to 3.5 cm long. The flowers are white with a pinkish-lilac tint, small, 0.6-0.8 cm in diameter, collected in large, up to 20 cm long, terminal paniculate inflorescences from branched lateral shoots. Blooms in May-June, secondary flowering is possible in September-October. In the middle zone, it freezes to the level of snow cover, but grows vigorously. Propagated by seeds and green cuttings. Recommended for vertical gardening in the southern regions of Russia.

Snake knotweed (Polygonum bistorta)

A domestic perennial species that grows in the meadows of the temperate zone of Eurasia.
Perennial up to 1-1.5 m in height. It grows up to 50-90 cm. The basal leaves have an oblong-ovate shape up to 30 cm long and 7-8 cm wide. Pink cylindrical long inflorescences up to 2-6 cm long. Blooms in June. Sun-loving. It grows in moist soils and is used to decorate the banks of ponds. Prefers humus loams. Winter-hardy without shelter. Looks great in a natural garden.

Knotweed (Polygonum capitatum)

An elegant, but little-known annual plant has a rare quality among annual plants - it quickly covers the soil. Highlander is heat-loving, moisture-loving, and grows well in the sun. When grown in partial shade, the leaves acquire a less decorative color. A strongly branched, creeping plant 10–15 cm high, with medium-sized leaves with reddish stripes and spots on a green background. Small round inflorescences with a diameter of 1 - 1.5 cm are collected from small light pink flowers and are located slightly above the leaves. Decorative from June until the first frost. Propagated by seeds. 1 g contains 1300 - 1400 seeds; to obtain 100 plants you need 0.2 - 0.3 g of seeds. Seeds are sown for seedlings in March - April in pots. Shoots appear in 10 - 14 days. They are planted in open ground in early June at a distance of 15-20 cm. Watering is needed when the soil dries out. Fertilizing is carried out during the growth period with complex fertilizers 2-3 times. Not demanding of care. You can make a beautiful border from knotweed (it tolerates pruning well), plant it in a mixborder in an empty space, in a garden vase or container where the shoots will hang a little.

Red knotweed (Polygonum carneum)

A perennial plant with a thick, short, sometimes tuberous rhizome. The stem is 30-60 (100) cm tall, straight, grooved, triangular. The lower leaves are on long petioles, oblong-ovate or oblong-lanceolate, often cordate or cut at the base, the upper ones are sessile, lanceolate or sometimes linear, stem-encompassing, all with more or less sparse hairs on the lower side. The bells are membranous, brownish, short, and often bipartite at the top. The inflorescence is a wide-cylindrical, dense apical spike, without bulbs. Perianth pink, deeply five-parted, shorter than the peduncle, achene up to 5 mm long, sharply triangular, shiny.
Distribution: Caucasus (all except Talysh), Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor, Kurdistan, Turkish Armenia.

Caspian knotweed (Polygonum caspicum)

A perennial or biennial plant with several recumbent stems, branching from the root collar, some short, up to 7 cm long, some long, straight, not branched, finely grooved, up to 60 cm long. The bells are wide, pale brown, comb-torn. The leaves are glaucous, oblong, with strongly prominent pinnate veins below, slightly leathery, longitudinally wrinkled above. Flowers are 1-2 in the leaf axils, on short stalks, narrow, with green perianth lobes edged with pink, half as long as the leaves. The achene is about 2 mm long, triangular, dark brown, with finely tuberculate edges. Distribution: Caucasus.

Convolvulus knotweed (Polygonum convolvulus)

An annual plant with a climbing, furrowed, short-hairy stem up to 1 m long. The leaves are on long petioles, triangular-ovate or oblong-ovate, deeply heart-shaped or spear-shaped at the base, long pointed at the apex. Flowers 2-6 in axillary bunches, on short pedicels not exceeding the perianth. Perianth 2-2.5 mm long, with green, white membranous lobes along the edge; outer lobes bluntly keeled. The achene is black, matte, and does not protrude from the perianth. Distribution: Caucasus (entire), European part, Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia, Far East, Central Asia, Scandinavia, Atlantic and Central Europe, Middle-earth, Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor, Turkish Armenia, Kurdistan, Iran, Mongolia, Japan, China, North America.

Knotweed (Polygonum corrigioloides)

An annual glaucous plant with numerous erect, recumbent, thin stems, 5-20 cm long. The bell is brown at the base, with 4-6 veins, hyaline at the top. The leaves are about 5 mm long, linear-spatulate, narrowed towards the base, with one vein. Flowers are 1-2 mm long, 4-6 in the leaf axils, with white-pink or bright pink perianth lobes. The pedicels are thin, 3 times longer than the flowers. The achene is small, about 1.5 mm long, triangular, almost black, smooth, shiny. Distribution: Caucasus (East Transcaucasian, Talysh), Central Asia (except high mountain areas), Iran.

Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum / Fallopia japonica / Reynoutria japonica /
Polygonum reynoutria) see Persicaria japonica

Spreading knotweed (Polygonum divaricatum)

Homeland - China, Mongolia, Far East.
A perennial plant with numerous stems up to 100-150 cm in height, with a brownish tint. The leaves are lanceolate, the lower ones are up to 10 cm long, the upper ones are up to 6 cm. Small whitish flowers are collected in large, dense, highly branched panicles.

Bush knotweed (Polygonum dumetorum)

An annual plant with a climbing, smooth, branched stem, up to 2-3 m tall. Leaves are petiolate, 2-10 cm long, 1-7 cm wide, heart-shaped, pointed or triangular-ovate, heart-shaped at the base, glabrous. Flowers 2-5 in axillary bunches and in terminal loose racemes; pedicels equal to the length of the perianth. The outer tepals along the midrib are narrowly membranous and winged. The achene is about 3 mm long, black, shiny. Distribution: Caucasus (Eastern and Western Transcaucasian, Talysh), European part, Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia, Far East (south), Central Asia, Scandinavia, Atlantic and Central Europe, Middle-earth, Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor, Iran., Mongolia, Japan, China.

Knotweed (Polygonum equisetiforme)

A perennial plant with strong, recumbent, ascending or erect stems. The leaves are sessile, oblong, sharp, glaucous, about 4 cm long and 0.5-1 cm wide. The trumpets are shorter than the internodes, brown in the lower part, hyaline in the upper part, torn at the end into small, long, thin slices. The flowers are white or pink, funnel-shaped, with small, inconspicuous bracts, collected in thin leafless racemes. The achene is about 2.5 mm long, oval-triangular, shiny, finely punctate.
Distribution: Caucasus, rare (East and South Transcaucasia), Central Asia.

Polygonum erectum

Homeland - North America.
Perennial up to 60cm tall. Straight rough branched stem. Rough broad oval leaves.

Polygonum heterophyllum

An annual plant with straight, often splayed, branched stems, less often recumbent, 20-60 cm long. The leaves are of two kinds: on the stem the leaves are wider and larger, broadly lanceolate to linear, 2-4 cm long, on the branches smaller and narrower, linear-oblong or linear-lanceolate; The bracts are the smallest. Inflorescences are racemose or spike-shaped. The perianth lobes are twice or more as long as the tubes with white, pink or purple edges. The achene is triangular, oval or elliptical, mature - dark in color.
Distribution: Caucasus (Eastern and South Transcaucasian, Talysh), European part, Western and Eastern Siberia, Central Asia, Far East.

Pepper knotweed (Polygonum hydropiper)

An annual plant with a straight or ascending branched stem from the base, 30-90 cm tall. The bells are cylindrical, reddish-brown, with short setae along the upper edge, glabrous below. The leaves have very short petioles, oblong-lanceolate, sharp or obtuse, sometimes with spots or translucent points of glands, wedge-shaped at the base, fresh or recently dried - peppery taste. Inflorescences in intermittent, narrow, drooping racemes, 4-6 cm long. Perianth up to 4 mm long, usually 4-parted, pinkish-purple or greenish, covered with sessile, golden-yellow glands. Stamens 6-8. The achene is 2.5-3.5 mm long, convex on one side, flat on the other, black, dull, tuberculate-rough. Distribution: Caucasus (almost all), European part, Western and Eastern Siberia, Central Asia, Far East.

Sorrel-leaved knotweed (Polygonum lapathifolium)

An annual herbaceous plant sometimes more than 1 m in height. The stem is creeping, ascending or erect, unbranched, but can also be branched. The stem nodes are noticeably thickened. The leaves are broadly ovate or lanceolate, narrowed at the base into a wedge-shaped petiole. They are pointed at the top, but can also be rounded. There is a crescent-shaped spot on the upper side of the leaf (sometimes absent). The leaves are cobwebby or bare on the underside. The bells are bare, ciliated only along the edge. The inflorescence is a false elongated spike. Its base is without cilia. The pedicels of individual flowers are covered with yellow glands. The flowers are pink, white or greenish. Blooms from early July to late October.

Coastal knotweed (Polygonum littorale)

Biennial, herbaceous plant with rather thick roots. The stems are strong, recumbent, branched, 20-60 cm long. The leaves are ovate - spatulate or elongated lanceolate, obtuse or pointed, thick. The flowers are small, greenish, 3-5 in the leaf axils. The achene is about 2 mm long, sharp, finely punctate.
Spreading. Caucasus (West Ciscaucasia, West Transcaucasia, Talysh), Scandinavia, Atlantic Europe, Middle-earth.

Polygonum luzuloides

A perennial plant with a woody multi-headed rhizome. The stems are straight, hard, with numerous twig-like branches. The bells are transparent, tubular, with a fringed upper edge. The leaves are broadly lanceolate-linear, 5-6 cm long, 4-6 mm wide, with clearly defined lateral veins below. The inflorescence is a long, intermittent raceme. Flowers 2-4 in the leaf axils, pale pink. The achene is oblong, triangular, equal in length to the perianth. Distribution: Caucasus.

Small-headed knotweed (Polygonum microcephala) see Persicaria microcephala

Lesser knotweed (Polygonum minus)

An annual plant with a thin, recumbent or ascending, less often straight, bare, branched stem, 20-30 cm tall. The bells are appressed short-pilose, long-ciliated along the edge. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, with a rounded or elongated base. Inflorescences are thin, rather loose, straight or slightly drooping spikes, without glands. The achene is convex or almost triangular on both sides, black, shiny. Distribution: Caucasus.

Soft knotweed (Polygonum molle)

Subshrub. Stems are straight, sometimes slightly rising, 90-150 cm tall, very branched, tomentose or glabrous. Petioles are 1-1.5 cm long. The leaf blades are light green from the center to the edge, green from the edge to the center, elliptic or lanceolate-elliptic, 10-20 cm long and 3-6 cm wide. The inflorescences are wide, paniculate, large, pubescent or glabrous, with oval bracts. The perianth is white, 5-petalled, about 0.2 cm long. Flowering in August-September.

Knotweed (Polygonum nodosum)

An annual plant with a straight or ascending, simple or branched stem, often with thickened nodes, 20-60 (120) cm tall. The bells are wide, often bare, with small cilia along the edge. Leaves are petiolate, oblong or lanceolate, pointed, usually bare on the underside, with pinpoint glands. The inflorescences are elongated, racemose, becoming thinner towards the apex. Pedicels without glands. The perianth is about 2 mm long, white or pink. The achene is about 2 mm long, lentil-shaped, dark brown.
Distribution: Caucasus (almost all), European part, Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia, Far East, Scandinavia, Atlantic and Central Europe, Middle-earth, Japan, China.

Eastern knotweed (Polygonum orientale)

Homeland - India.
An annual herbaceous plant up to 200 cm tall. The flowers are small, red, collected in paniculate, pendulous inflorescences. Bears fruit. Grows well in deeply cultivated, nutritious, moist soil. Propagated by sowing seeds at the end of May in a permanent place. Used to decorate walls, fences and to create the background of mixborders. In culture since 1700.

Rejected knotweed (Polygonum patulum)

An annual plant, with straight, usually branched, strong stems from the base, up to 60 cm in height; the branches are directed obliquely upward, thin. The bells are translucent, fringed-torn (especially later), and short. The leaves are sessile or short-petiolate, pointed, the lower ones are oblong - lanceolate, the upper ones are lanceolate or linear. The flowers are reddish, collected in long racemes. The perianth is almost tubular, closed; its lobes are reddish, green along the back. The achene is about 2 mm long, ovoid, pointed, triangular, glossy, punctate. Distribution: Caucasus, European part, Central Asia, Western Siberia, Atlantic and Central Europe, Middle-earth, Iran.

Polygonum perforata

Annual herbaceous liana up to 2 m long. The entire plant is covered with hooked, curved spines facing downwards. The leaves are bluish-green,
obtuse-triangular, pierced (the petiole does not extend from the edge of the plate, but 2-4 mm from it). The inflorescences are apical and axillary, in the form of dense racemes 1-3 cm long of 5-20 flowers. The flowers are pale green, 4-5 mm in diameter,
when the fruits become fleshy, bluish, berry-shaped. Lives in river valleys, near the sea coast, in clearings.
General distribution: temperate and warm zones of the Northern Hemisphere.

Polygonum persicaria

An annual plant with a straight, erect, simple or branched stem at the bottom, 20-60 cm tall. Leaves are almost sessile, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, long pointed. The bells are narrow, tightly adjacent to the stem, appressed and hairy, with long cilia along the upper edge. The inflorescences are relatively thick and dense; brushes up to 2-3 cm long. Perianth pink, without glands. The achene is broadly ovoid, sometimes triangular, not depressed on the sides, black, shiny.
Distribution: Caucasus, European part, Central Asia, Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia, Atlantic and Central Europe, Middle-earth, Iran, Scandinavia, Japan, China.

Common knotweed (Polygonum polycnemoides)

An annual plant with numerous, weak, smooth, prostrate stems, 8-20 cm long. The trumpet is hyaline, without veins, shorter than the leaves, but longer than the internodes. Leaves are 5-10 mm long, about 1 mm wide, slightly fleshy, subulate-linear, almost smooth, with one vein. The bracts are clearly prominent. Flowers on very short stalks, 1-2 in the leaf axils; the perianth lobes are shorter than the tubules, pink with a white margin. The achene is less than 2 mm long, weakly triangular, finely punctate.
Distribution: Caucasus, Central Asia, Asia Minor, Iran.

Polygonum polystachyum

Subshrub. Stems are 80-100 cm tall, very branched, pubescent, sometimes glabrous. Petioles 1 cm long. The leaf blades are gray-green from the center to the edge and green from the edge to the center, broadly lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, 6-17 cm long and 3-7 cm wide, sagittate-heart-shaped or almost truncated at the base, pointed at the end. Inflorescences are terminal, paniculate, wide. The perianth is white or pinkish, 5-petalled, 0.4 cm in diameter. The bracts are oval. Flowering in August-September.

Point knotweed (Polygonum punctatum)

Homeland - Eurasia.
Letnik up to 50cm tall. Straight reddish or greenish stem. Alternate lanceolate green leaves with brownish edges. Small green flowers, collected in drooping inflorescences.

Sakhalin knotweed / Sakhalin buckwheat (Polygonum sachalinense)

It grows wildly in the south of Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Japan.
Perennial, herbaceous plant with creeping rhizomes. Stems are straight, hollow, strong, up to 300 cm tall, green or brown. The leaves are large, up to 30 cm long and 20 cm wide, broadly oval or oval-oblong, on short petioles. The flowers are small, whitish-cream, collected in paniculate inflorescences up to 20 cm long. Blooms in July-August for 40-45 days. The fruit is a triangular, dark brown nut. Winter-hardy. It is used as a decorative foliage plant to camouflage outbuildings and create thickets. In culture since 1863.

Salty knotweed (Polygonum salsugineum)

An annual plant with thin, straight from the base, highly branched, spreading, bushy, finely grooved stems, 10-20 cm tall. The bells at the top are irregularly fringed and torn, rusty brown to the tops. Leaves are about 3 mm long, narrow-linear, pointed, sometimes almost awl-shaped, the lower ones fall off early. The flowers are axillary, solitary, sessile, forming long intermittent spikes. The perianth is funnel-shaped, with yellow or reddish lobes, shorter than the tube. The achene is sharply triangular, matte, dotted.
Distribution: Caucasus, European part, Western Siberia, Central Asia.

Tiflis knotweed (Polygonum tiflisiense)

An annual plant with straight, densely leafy, branched stems, 20-80 cm tall; branches pointing upward. The bells are deeply bifid, white, later turning brown. The leaves are yellowish-green, the lower leaves are broadly oval-lanceolate, 1-6 cm long, the upper leaves are reduced, narrower. Inflorescences are strongly discontinuous racemes. Flowers 1-3 in the axils of linear or almost subulate bracts; perianth 2-3 mm long, tubular, green with red tips or almost white. The achene is about 3 mm long, triangular, punctate granular.
Distribution: Caucasus.

Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium)

An annual plant with a straight, simple or slightly branched stem, 30-80 cm tall. The bells are narrow, bare, ciliated along the edge. The leaves are oval or ovate, obtuse, glabrous, with translucent points of glands, slightly pubescent along the edges. The ears are collected in a cluster, dense, oval or oblong. The perianth is red. The achene is 2-3 mm long, biconvex, smooth, shiny.

Felt knotweed (Polygonum tomentosum)

An annual plant with a straight or ascending stem, 30-60 cm (up to 1 m) in height. The bell is bare or short-ciliated. The leaves are short-petiolate, oblong-elliptic, oblong or lanceolate, white cobwebby-pubescent below, with sessile glands. Inflorescences are dense, short racemes, up to 4 cm long. The inflorescence branches, pedicels and perianth are covered with yellow glands. The achene is 2.5-3 mm long, laterally compressed and with indentations on both sides.
Distribution: Caucasus, European part, Central Asia, Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia, Atlantic and Central Europe, Middle-earth, Iran, Scandinavia, North America.

Lingonberry knotweed (Polygonum vaccinifolium)

Homeland - Himalayas.
Creeping herbaceous perennial up to 15 cm tall. Forms large groups. It blooms in late summer and early autumn with small pink flowers in dense inflorescences about 6 cm long. In winter it requires protection from moisture. Winter-hardy down to -23 degrees. In culture since the 19th century.

Virginia knotweed (Polygonum virginianum)

An unusual and stunningly beautiful perennial. The colorful foliage is the main reason this species is grown. The greenish-white flowers appear in late summer and are of no value to the grower. It achieves its greatest decorative effect in full sun; light partial shade is acceptable. Prefers moist soils, but tolerates drought well. Most beautiful in large groups. Self-seeding is possible in a favorable location.

Viviparous knotweed (Polygonum viviparum) see Bistorta vivipara

Weyrich's knotweed (Polygonum weyrichii)

It grows wild on the grassy slopes of Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands and Japan.
It grows into powerful thickets up to 200 cm high. Branched leafy stems. The leaves are oval-elongated, sessile. The rhizome is cord-like, creeping. Blooms in late summer. The inflorescence is racemose, the flowers are very small, white, inconspicuous. Winter-hardy without shelter.
Extremely unpretentious, prefers rich loams. Good for planting near outbuildings and fences.

Knotweed care and maintenance

Lighting: grow in a bright, semi-shaded, cool place with moist air.

Propagation of knotweed: by division, root suckers. Eastern knotweed, serpentine, splayed - with stratified (1-2 months) seeds at the end of May in a permanent place or before winter in boxes. Seeds germinate in light at 18-25 degrees. They can easily tolerate transplantation with a clod of earth. Rhizomatous mountaineers grow quickly, forming dense thickets; they can grow in one place for up to 6-10 years.

Knotweed transplant: Soil: prefer moist, fertile, well-fertilized soils with a slightly acidic reaction. Snake knotweed tolerates close groundwater. Knotweed is splayed and related to dry-loving.

Pests and diseases: Not noted.

Features of caring for knotweed

Remove brown leaves in spring. Water and fertilize well. In late autumn, cut off the “carpets” that are too large.

One of the most common ornamental plants can rightfully be called a flower with the heroic name of knotweed. There are about 300 of its species. Gardeners have mixed opinions about this plant. In one season, a flower can grow up to 2 meters in height and delight the owner’s eye with unusual scarlet panicles. On the other hand, the plant requires careful care due to its rapid growth.

Description

Highlander is a perennial herbaceous plant from the buckwheat family. It can take the form of a vine and a subshrub. It grows almost everywhere. Its greatest accumulation is observed on the banks of reservoirs, highlands and forests. The stem of this plant is erect or climbing, and the leaves are simple, alternate. Small flowers are collected in inflorescences. The fruit is in the form of a nut. Highlander is quite unpretentious, so it can grow not in the most favorable weather conditions. About 20 of its species have a decorative function.

Kinds

Ajansky (Aconogonon ajanense)

This species is found in Siberia, the Far East and China - most often on mountain slopes and embankments. Reaches a height of 35 cm. The branches are directed in different directions, and the stem is covered with small hairs. The leaves are ellipsoidal in shape and pointed at the edges. The base of the leaf is broadly wedge-shaped. The flowers are collected in clusters that are located at the top of the main stem. The perianth is white.

Aubert (Polugonum aubertii)

The western part of China is considered the birthplace of the Aubert species. It is a low climbing shrubby vine. The stem and shoots harden slightly. The leaves are ovoid in shape with carved edges. There is also an ombre effect - from red to green. The racemes located above the shoots consist of small light green or pink flowers. The white fruits are small and inconspicuous. This species reproduces by seeds. Grows mainly on black soil and moist soils. Can develop in partial shade. Valued by gardeners all over the world - used to form hedges.

Alpine (Polygonum alpinum)

Grows in mountain meadows and steppes of the temperate climate zone. It looks like a large bush 1.5 m high. The stems are branched and the leaves are pointed. Peak flowering occurs in mid-summer. Multiple flowers form paniculate inflorescences. Alpine knotweed is frost-resistant, so it does not need to be covered. It is essentially an unassuming weed.

Lingonberry leaf (Polygonum vaccinifolium)

The homeland of this species is the Himalayas. It is a creeping plant 15 cm high. The stems are woody and have many branches. The leaves are ovate, narrowed at the ends. Flowering occurs in August. Lingonberry knotweed is resistant to cold weather, but requires protection from excess moisture.

Oriental (Polugonum orientale)

Grows in India. This is an annual herbaceous plant up to 2 meters in height. It is picky about soils, since for its full existence it needs moist, nutritious soils with deep cultivation. Used to decorate walls, fences, and also when creating mixborders (combined flower beds).

Weyrich (Polygonum weyrichii)

This wild species of knotweed grows in the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and Japan. Creates tall and strong thickets. Weirich's stems are branched, and the leaves have an elongated oval shape. The roots are tenacious and creeping. The inflorescences are formed by small white flowers. Blooms in late summer. Frost-resistant, so no shelter required. This species is quite unpretentious, but prefers highly fertile loamy soils. Used for decorating fences.

Virgin (Polugonum virginianum)

Quite a beautiful perennial species of knotweed. The flowers are white with a greenish tint, but the main advantage is the colorful foliage. Therefore, it is highly valued among gardeners. In order for the leaves to show their full potential, the plant must be planted in sunny places. A little partial shade is acceptable. Virginia knotweed grows mainly on moist soils, but tolerates dry periods well.

Capitate (Polugonum capilatum)

The capitate knotweed is a rather rare and unknown species, but this does not prevent it from being beautiful. Refers to annual plants. It has a unique ability - it grows very quickly. This species loves warmth and moisture. In the shade, the leaves fade and the plant becomes less elegant. This knotweed spreads along the ground, its height barely reaches 15 cm. Small rounded inflorescences consist of pinkish flowers. Performs a decorative function from the beginning of summer until the first frost. Capitate knotweed is propagated both by seeds and cuttings. They can be used to decorate a mixborder or a vase in the garden, from which shoots will descend beautifully.

Viviparous

Distributed in the mountains of Europe, Asia and North America (Alps, Carpathians). It is found in temperate, tropical or subtropical climates and can grow up to 50 cm. It prefers meadows, wetlands and forests, as well as tundra and mountain slopes. To develop, it requires moist, fertile soils. It tolerates winter well, but if there is no snow, it is better to cover the plant. The stem is straight and the leaves have curled edges. The inflorescences are narrow and loose. The fruits have 3 sides.

Variable (Polygonum polymorpha)

This species came from East Asia, so it will feel good in our latitudes. A height of up to 2 m, a branched stem with large inflorescences and tenacious roots distinguish the Variable Knotweed from other species. It blooms all summer with white flowers. Unpretentiousness in the choice of soil and weather conditions helps it easily endure the winter. The bush has long oval leaves, which gives the plant volume. With the help of the mountaineer, tall hedges are created in the countryside, which exude a pleasant aroma with notes of spice.

Spread out (ram)

This perennial species is characterized by a large number of stems 1.5 m high. The main advantage is its appearance. A large openwork bush combining burgundy stems, whitish flowers and elongated green leaves. Reaches peak flowering at the very beginning of summer. It loves drought, since the main places in which it grows are steppes and dry fields. Central Russia is also suitable for the development and wintering of the Splayed Polygonum. The properties of the root system do not make it possible to transplant it to another place. Widely used in creating lawns and mixborders.

Sakhalin

Polygonum cachalinense grows in the Kuril Islands, Japan and Sakhalin. It is a perennial with tenacious roots. The erect stem is brown or greenish. It reaches a height of 3m. Large leaves are located on a short petiole. Light cream flowers are formed in inflorescences. Blooms in mid-summer. The fruit is a nut with three sides. Sakhalin mountaineer is used to decorate and camouflage outbuildings. It can quickly grow and take over significant areas, so you need to use limiters.

Smallhead (Red Dragon)

The homeland of this species is China. It is a non-invasive, slow-growing perennial. Height up to 90 cm. Carved red leaves are located on reddish shoots. Small-headed knotweed is unpretentious, so it can grow even on clay soils.

Japanese

Polygonum cuspidatum is considered a weed. Due to the lack of chlorophyll, additional feeding is required. Grows well in a shaded place on moist soil.

Preparing for landing

Site selection and soil preparation

Growing knotweed is not difficult, but problems may arise due to its vigorous growth. A flower can turn an area into a thicket if it does not receive proper care. The choice of location will depend on the characteristics of the type of knotweed that you have chosen for planting.

To plant Aubert knotweed, you need to choose loose soil. The ground temperature should be 4 degrees higher than the air temperature. This effect can be achieved by fertilizing the bed with manure or peat. You also need to prepare a support for curling. Fertilizing the soil must occur regularly, otherwise the knotweed will not take root. If you choose variable knotweed for planting, then you should find partial shade or an open sunny place. Fertile, moist soil with low acidity is a priority. Before planting, be sure to fertilize the soil with compost and ash in order to increase the alkaline levels. It should be planted shallow to avoid root rotting.

Due to its large size, highlander can hide some places in the country and small buildings. Can be used as a delimiter between garden zones, for example separating a swimming pool from the main area. Choose a planting site keeping in mind that this species is aggressive, and more delicate plants will not take root next to the knotweed. Sakhalin knotweed is demanding on soil fertility. Capable of forming dense thickets, so choose the location you want to camouflage. The best place for planting this species is considered to be the shore of a reservoir or a lowland with high humidity. Lighting will only affect the size of the bush, so the knotweed will develop both in the sun and in the shade.

Seed selection

For better seed germination, cold stratification is carried out. Stratification is a process that simulates winter cold and moisture. This speeds up germination. The seeds with sand in the bag should be placed in the refrigerator. The stratification period is different for each species (on average 60 days).

Landing

Planting in open ground occurs with the onset of warm weather. Adaptation happens quickly. The soil should be loose. Treat the cuttings with Kornevin and store them for several hours in a room with a temperature of 23°. At first, the plant needs regular, but not excessive watering. Plant to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. After planting, cover with film to maintain the microclimate.

Care

Basic rules of care:

1. High-quality, abundant watering in the heat (a slight excess of moisture is acceptable, but the constant presence of roots in damp soil is not acceptable);
2. Not all species can tolerate frost, so they need to be covered until the weather warms up. If the leaves have wilted, cut off the stems;
3. Yellow and brown leaves should be cut back in late winter;
4. If you have Japanese or small-headed knotweed growing, then it is better to get a greenhouse;
5. Constant fertilization of the soil is necessary for the supply of nutrients.

Reproduction

Knotweed can propagate by seeds and cuttings. Each type has its own method. Seed propagation is suitable for snake, eastern and splayed knotweed. They are planted by the end of winter in boxes or open ground. Cuttings are also prepared by the end of spring. Two nodes should appear. The cuttings are planted in a warm bed. The bottom node should be at a depth of 2 cm. The top is covered with film, and for the winter it is dug up and stored at a temperature of about 2°C.

Beneficial features

ethnoscience

Knotweed can help with diarrhea, sore throat and mouth inflammation. Polygonum root is used for bleeding, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis. You can relieve inflammation caused by cystitis. In eastern countries it is even used for douching and the treatment of tumors. Has a sedative effect.

Cosmetology

Products containing knotweed will help normalize the water balance of the skin and get rid of burns and dermatitis. A decoction of the roots will eliminate sweating feet and corns.

Dietary supplements

Young leaves and stems of snakeweed are edible. Powder from dried roots is added to bread and alcoholic beverages.

Procurement and storage

It is better to harvest roots at the end of summer. The roots need to be peeled, washed and cut into small pieces. Next, put it on paper and leave it to dry outside, but in the shade. If all conditions are met, they will be pink and odorless. Place the preparations in bags and store in a dry place. Shelf life – 2 years. Knotweed is distributed throughout the world due to its unpretentiousness and beneficial properties, so spend a little time studying the rules of care and grow this undoubtedly valuable and beautiful plant in your garden.

An unpretentious and spectacular plant is the Sakhalin knotweed, which belongs to the genus Polygonum and has been known in cultivation for a long time, since the mid-19th century. But many people are still not familiar with this giant herbaceous perennial. Its distinctive feature, which led to its introduction into culture, is its rapid growth, which is why it was nicknamed Siberian bamboo. In a short time, the knotweed can reach a height of three meters and form dense thickets, behind which you can hide an unsightly building or a neighbor’s fence.

Figure 1. Sakhalin knotweed is a noble and unpretentious plant that can decorate any area.

The leaves of this plant are spectacular: dark green on top and pubescent below, oval in shape with a sharp tip, they reach a length of 30 cm. And by the end of summer, clusters of creamy-white flowers with a faint honey aroma appear on the tops of the shoots. Rice. 1. In winter, bare geniculate stems up to 3 cm thick protrude from the snow, resembling real bamboo.

How to care for the Sakhalin knotweed?

A newcomer from the south of Sakhalin and the Japanese Islands, the mountaineer, however, does not like extreme heat. Its natural habitats are wet ravines and stream beds. Therefore, when choosing a place to plant Siberian bamboo, one must take into account its tendency to high soil and air humidity. A suitable place in the garden for giant grass can be the bank of a pond, the vicinity of a stream passing through the area, or a damp lowland.

With a lack of sunlight, the leaves of the Sakhalin knotweed will be small.

The lighting requirements of the Sakhalin knotweed are quite moderate: it can grow in bright sunlight, in partial shade, and even on the north side of a building. With a lack of light, its leaves will be slightly smaller and the inflorescences will not be as lush. And he is unlikely to reach his normal size. But in a place with sufficient or excess lighting, the giant will look great.

This plant is very demanding of soil fertility. In places where Sakhalin knotweed grows naturally, the soil is saturated with the remains of rotted plant parts and nutrients. The composition of these soils is close to the leaf soil of Russian broad-leaved forests. To achieve the full flowering of the knotweed, the plant must be fed with herbal compost, rotted manure, and watered abundantly. Planted near a compost heap, Siberian bamboo usually feels great and gives neighbors reason to wonder what kind of strange plant has appeared on the site.

For the winter, the mountaineer does not require shelter and tolerates low temperatures well even in the Siberian region.

Early growing green shoots may freeze during frosts. But even the completely dead above-ground part grows back with the onset of warm days.

Reproduction of Sakhalin buckwheat

Sakhalin knotweed easily tolerates low temperatures and does not require shelter in winter.

Knotweed seeds are similar to unhulled buckwheat. This is not surprising, because they are relatives. The seeds are sown in March or early April in loose, fertile soil. After about 2 weeks, sprouts will appear. There is no need to pick up knotweed seedlings, so it is best to immediately sow large seeds at a distance of 10 cm from each other or 1-2 pieces in peat pots.

During the growth of seedlings, it must be fed 2-3 times with a complex fertilizer such as “Kemira” or another, diluting it in water according to the instructions. Planting of seedlings can be done only after the threat of return frosts has passed, around the beginning of June. After this, plant care consists of timely watering and fertilizing 1-2 times per season with complex fertilizers or organic matter.

Due to the fact that Sakhalin knotweed blooms late, in most regions of Russia its seeds do not have time to fully ripen. Therefore, propagation is most often carried out vegetatively: by dividing the bush or by root suckers. With sufficient moisture, cuttings take root very quickly and during the first year of growth they can produce a significant amount of green mass. This feature makes the knotweed a convenient plant for creating curtains and hedges near transparent fences.

When planting knotweed on a site, you must remember that it is an aggressive weed that can penetrate its roots to a depth of 2 meters. Therefore, decorative planting should be protected by limiters dug to the maximum possible depth. This can be sheet slate, plastic or similar materials that are resistant to destruction and corrosion.

Sakhalin knotweed leaves can be used as a pie filling.

The question is often asked about how to deal with Sakhalin knotweed if it gets out of control.

The population's complaints boil down to the fact that it is almost impossible to dig up the rhizomes of Siberian bamboo and the vine grows again in the area that has already been dug up. This is true.

The control method in the form of digging up the planting is ineffective for a simple reason: every small piece of rhizome that breaks off during weed control produces a new shoot. And loose soil contributes to its successful growth.

The correct way to destroy unnecessary growth is to mow or cut off the entire above-ground part of the plant as it grows, every 10=14 days. This inhibits the knotweed and does not allow it to accumulate enough nutrients in the rhizomes for a successful winter.

Use of knotweed for economic purposes

In addition to being exceptionally decorative, knotweed is considered a valuable vegetable plant. The population of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands eat young shoots and leaves of the plant. They have a pleasant sour taste and are very juicy. They can be used as a component of salads, for making soups or pie filling. The special cultural value of Sakhalin knotweed lies in the very early growth of young greenery. Comparable in taste and vitamin content to rhubarb and sorrel, Sakhalin knotweed is quite capable of replacing them when these plants are still dormant.

The large soft leaves of the plant are readily eaten by livestock, rabbits and birds. Just don’t overuse this vitamin food, as the high content of oxalic acid can adversely affect the kidney function of rabbits, goats and breeding cattle.

The green mass mowed during weed control can be fed to animals along with the stems. In the absence of livestock and poultry on the farm, immature soft stems with leaves make good compost. It is prepared in the usual way, but when using ready-made fertilizer, it may be necessary to add chalk or fluff lime to reduce its acidity. Mature stems from last year, which have to be cut in the spring, can serve as support for peas or similar plants. These hollow stems can be successfully used as the base for a warm bed. The porous layer will ensure a good flow of oxygen inside it.

Siberian bamboo, impressive in its power, has many faces. It can be a valuable addition to the diet of people and animals, an ornamental plant, and a nasty weed, like its relative, the alpine knotweed. Everything depends only on the attitude of the owner of the site to the beautiful creation of Far Eastern nature.