Bistorta

( biss - tort - ah )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennial herbaceous plants includes species which grow from rhizome roots and are native to much of the Northern Hemisphere. Plants produce erect, unbranched stems with few leaves topped with spikes of white to purple-pink (rarely red) flowers. Species are commonly known as Bistorts, and do well in full sun to partial shade with regular waterings. They are low maintenance flowers, making them perfect additions to native and wildflower gardens, cottage or informal landscapes, or in mixed beds or borders.

Bistorta Species and Varietals

The genus Bistorta is a member of the Buckwheat plant family, Polygonaceae and includes around 40 distinct species. The best growing zones for Bistorta vary depending on the species, but generally they grow well in USDA zones 4-9. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Bistorta affinis (Polygonum affine, Persicaria affinis) (Himalayan Bistort, Fleece Flower, Knotweed)
This species is native to the Himalayan Mountain Range in Tibet, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Kashmir and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. It is a creeping, mat-forming plant with basal foliage. Individual plants reach 10 inches tall by 24 inches wide, and grow slowly to form clumps. Flowers are pale pink to rosy-red, and bloom from the middle of summer through fall. Commonly used as a groundcover. Choice cultivars include 'Darjeeling Red', 'Donald Lowndes', and 'Superba'.

Bistorta amplexicaulis (Persecaria amplexicaulis) (Red Bistort, Mountain Fleeceflower)
Native to China, Pakistan, and various zones in the Himalayan Mountains, these plants typically grow in damp soils. Plants reach up to 4 feet tall at maturity when in bloom, and produce elongated heart-shaped green leaves. Flowers are rose-red or white, and bloom in summertime. Cultivar 'Firetail' (pictured) is a popular choice for gardens. Other cultivars include 'Blackfield', 'Alba', 'Rosea', 'Fat Domino', and 'Orange Field'. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.

Bistorta bistortoides (American Bistort, Western Bistort, Smokeweed, Mountain Meadow Knotweed, Mountain Buckwheat, Mountain Meadow Buckwheat)
Plants in this species generally reach between 4 and 20 inches tall, and hail from western North America, from British Colombia down through California and the Rocky Mountains. They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. Green leaves are mostly basal and are leathery. Flowers are white to pinkish, forming in spikes. This species was an important food plant for indigenous peoples of the Mountain West. Roots are edible, and have a flavor resembling that of Chestnuts.

Bistorta manshuriensis (Asian Bistort)
This species of Bistort is native to mountain valleys and lowland areas in Korea and Japan. It can grow well in sun or partial shade, and reaches up to a foot tall and 31 inches wide at maturity. Flowers are white to cream-colored, and bloom in summertime in the plant's native range. Asian Bistort does well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.

Bistorta officinalis (Persicaria bistorta) (Common Bistort, European Bistort, Meadow Bistort, Snakeroot, Snakeweed, Easter-Ledges)
Native to Europe and Asia, this species reaches up to 8-31 inches tall and 35 inches wide when mature and in bloom and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. Green foliage is mostly basal, with a few smaller leaves on the bottom of flowering stems. From late spring to fall, erect flowering stems are topped with spikes of rose-pink flowers. The roots of these plants are edible, as are the leaves and young shoots, which are steamed or boiled. Plants have the tendency to escape garden cultivation and naturalize in wild landscapes. Cultivar 'Superba' is a popular ornamental variety.

Bistorta plumosa (Meadow Bistort, Common Bistort, European Bistort, Pink Plumes)
These plants are native to alpine and tundra ecosystems in Alaska, Yukon, the Northwest Territory, and East Asia. It forms a perennial plant with basal foliage and red flowering stems that reach up to 16 inches tall. Flowers are typically light pink. Meadow Bistort grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.

Bistorta vacciniifolia (Persicaria vacciniifolia) (Whortleberry-Leaved Knotweed, Rock Knotweed, Rose Carpet Knotweed, Himalayan Bistort)
Native to Tibet and the Himalayas, this species grows well in clayey soils. It is a popular ornamental cultivated in gardens around the world. Flowers are pink, and flowering stems are deep red in color. Leaves are small and green. Individual plants reach up to 12 inches tall, and are commonly grown in mass as a groundcover. Rock Knotweed grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-8.

Caring for Bistorta

Bistort plants are typically grown from seed, either started indoors and planted out after temperatures warm in spring, or direct-sown in the garden. They appreciate being planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms, though they can handle afternoon shade in warmer climates. When these flowers are grown in low light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils over spring and summer; lessen waterings in wintertime to ensure that plants are not sitting in boggy conditions. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Bistorts can spread vigorously and become a nuisance in small gardens if given too much space, especially in damp areas of the landscape or disturbed soils. Most garden ornamental species are not considered invasive, however. Growing Bistort in pots is an option for gardeners who wish to contain their spread. Plants can survive indefinitely in gardens due to their clumping, spreading nature.

Caring for Bistorta in Containers
Bistorts are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Bistorts grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Harvesting Bistorta
Bistort was an important food plant used by Native Americans living in the Mountain West. The roots are edible either raw or fire-roasted with a flavor resembling Chestnuts. The seeds can be dried and ground into flour and used to make bread. They were also roasted and eaten as a cracked grain. The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Leaves are harvested in spring and early summer, and rhizomes are typically harvested in autumn. Rinse leaves after harvesting and use them similarly to Spinach. Roots can be rinsed and then peeled and boiled if desired, but they are also edible raw. To harvest Bistort seeds, wait until flower spikes form seed pods which will turn yellow-brown and dry out. Then, snip the stalks and place them in a paper bag to dry further. Once pods are brittle, crumble them, and separate the seed from chaff. Seeds can be stored in a container in a cool, dark, dry place until used.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Bistorta, or Bistort, can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Bistorts, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Bistorta by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Physostegia seeds will need periods of warm- and cold-stratification in order to germinate. To complete this process, first place seeds in a bag or other sealable container filled with moistened sand or peat moss. Place the container in a warm area that stays between 64 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-4 weeks. Next, move the container to the refrigerator (or similarly cool, dark space) for 4-6 weeks. The ideal temperature for cold-stratification is between 25 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. After this period has passed, remove seeds from the container and sow them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. The ideal temperature range for successful germination of Bistort seeds is between 41 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its new pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Bistorta by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In summer or early fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Bistorta by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth). To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once they are untangled, separate the plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.