Persicaria affinis, commonly known as P. affinis or Himalayan bistort, is a wonderful plant to consider for your garden. It is a mat-forming perennial groundcover that adds both beauty and functionality to your landscape. One of the first things to consider when selecting plants for your garden is their hardiness, which is determined by the USDA hardiness zone.
In the case of P. affinis, it is semi-evergreen in USDA Zones 7-8, meaning it retains some of its leaves throughout the year in these zones. This is great news for gardeners living in these areas, as it adds some greenery and interest to the garden even during the colder months.
However, P. affinis is not limited to just these zones. It is actually hardy to Zone 5, which opens up the possibility of growing this lovely groundcover in a wider range of climates. Zone 5 encompasses regions with cold winters and average minimum temperatures of -20 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 to -23 degrees Celsius). If you live in Zone 5 or any warmer zone, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of P. affinis in your garden.
One of the standout features of P. affinis is its narrow, elliptic green leaves. These leaves provide a lush backdrop to the plant’s other notable attribute: its pink bottlebrush-shaped flowers. The flowers are borne on 10-inch stems and bloom from July to October, adding a burst of color and attracting pollinators to your garden.
I have personally had the pleasure of growing P. affinis in my garden, and it has been a delightful addition. The mat-forming habit creates a dense groundcover, suppressing weeds and providing a low-maintenance solution for areas where you don’t want to spend too much time on upkeep. Its ability to tolerate a range of climates makes it a versatile choice for different garden styles and locations.
To summarize, P. affinis is a mat-forming perennial groundcover that is semi-evergreen in USDA Zones 7-8 and hardy to Zone 5. Its narrow, elliptic green leaves and pink bottlebrush-shaped flowers make it a visually appealing addition to any garden. So, regardless of whether you live in Zone 5 or in a warmer zone, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of P. affinis in your landscape.
