Polygonum

The genus Highlander, or Polygonum, contains more than 200 herbaceous, perennial and annual, and semi-shrub species. There are among them erect, curly, with outstretched shoots of plants. Some species are rhizomatous, frost-resistant, and mostly very decorative. In agriculture, only arrow-shaped buckwheat (Polygonum fagopirum) is grown. Sometimes it is used as an ornamental plant due to its fragrant inflorescences. Kindred highlander (P. affine) is a decorative species that is ideal for decorating rock gardens. This perennial groundcover plant is 10-20 cm high, with pink flowers collected in dense erect, 15 cm long ears. In sunny areas, the species forms dense carpets. For such use, the Darjeeling variety is best suited with lanceolate leaves of bright green color, turning white from the cold. The most decorative variety is considered to be 'Donald Lowndes' with larger, browning leaves in autumn and longer ears of corn than 'Darjeeling'. The flowers are pink to red in color. Mountain snake (P. bistorta ) is an annual herbaceous species, a valuable medicinal plant. Only the Magnificent variety is decorative (about 1 m high), thanks to the pink flowers collected in inflorescences-ears of 13-16 cm long, with egg-shaped leaves. It is grown in borders and flower beds. Highlander stem-embracing (P. amplexicaule) is used in a similar way. This perennial root-spreading species can also behave like a weed. Height about 1 m; red flowers; heart-shaped leaves. Generally, lower varieties are grown than the botanical species. Throughout the summer, red or white spike-shaped inflorescences bloom with a pink tint. The bell-bellied mountaineer (P. campanulatum ) is a perennial species grown in flower beds 75 cm - 1 m high. Inflorescences - very branched brushes with a diameter of 6-7 cm, consist of numerous fragrant pink flowers. The leaves are oval. Climbing perennial mountaineer Aubert (P. aubertii) is characterized by stems up to 9 m long, oblong-ovate leaves; flowers are pink or white. White or light pink flowers of the Baldschuanicum highlander (P. baldschuanicum) are collected in large spreading racemes 30-40 cm long; its curly shoots reach 6 m in length. Overwinters with easy shelter. The multi-flowered mountaineer (P. multiflorum) reaches 4 m in height. The leaves are ovate. In summer, panicles of white or pink flowers are formed. This plant is used to mask walls.

The genus Highlander, or Polygonum, contains more than 200 herbaceous, perennial and annual, and semi-shrub species. There are among them erect, curly, with outstretched shoots of plants. Some species are rhizomatous, frost-resistant, and mostly very decorative.

In agriculture, only arrow-shaped buckwheat (Polygonum fagopirum) is grown. Sometimes it is used as an ornamental plant due to its fragrant inflorescences.

Kindred highlander (P. affine) is a decorative species that is ideal for decorating rock gardens. This perennial groundcover plant is 10-20 cm high, with pink flowers collected in dense erect, 15 cm long ears. In sunny areas, the species forms dense carpets. For such use, the Darjeeling variety is best suited with lanceolate leaves of bright green color, turning white from the cold.

The most decorative variety is considered to be 'Donald Lowndes' with larger, browning leaves in autumn and longer ears of corn than 'Darjeeling'. The flowers are pink to red in color.

Mountain snake (P. bistorta ) is an annual herbaceous species, a valuable medicinal plant. Only the Magnificent variety is decorative (about 1 m high), thanks to the pink flowers collected in inflorescences-ears of 13-16 cm long, with egg-shaped leaves. It is grown in borders and flower beds.

Highlander stem-embracing (P. amplexicaule) is used in a similar way. This perennial root-spreading species can also behave like a weed. Height about 1 m; red flowers; heart-shaped leaves. Generally, lower varieties are grown than the botanical species. Throughout the summer, red or white spike-shaped inflorescences bloom with a pink tint.

The bell-bellied mountaineer (P. campanulatum ) is a perennial species grown in flower beds 75 cm - 1 m high. Inflorescences - very branched brushes with a diameter of 6-7 cm, consist of numerous fragrant pink flowers. The leaves are oval.

Climbing perennial mountaineer Aubert (P. aubertii) is characterized by stems up to 9 m long, oblong-ovate leaves; flowers are pink or white.

White or light pink flowers of the Baldschuanicum highlander (P. baldschuanicum) are collected in large spreading racemes 30-40 cm long; its curly shoots reach 6 m in length. Overwinters with easy shelter.

The multi-flowered mountaineer (P. multiflorum) reaches 4 m in height. The leaves are ovate. In summer, panicles of white or pink flowers are formed. This plant is used to mask walls.

Cultivation

Decorative species are grown in the open ground: in rock gardens, in flower beds and for the design of plant canopies. There are dwarf, medium-sized and plants with branches of different lengths. Species in borders and flower beds need loose earth, rich in humus and slightly moistened. Plant in spring or autumn, observing the distance between plants, depending on their individual characteristics 30-60 cm (80 cm for the bell-bellied mountaineer). Species for rock gardens do not have special requirements for the soil. Of the climbing crops, only the multi-flowered highlander requires attention - it needs fertile soil with an admixture of peat. If the land is sparse, it is recommended to top up with well-rotted manure or other organic fertilizer in the fall. Climbing species are pinched in the spring. In other plants, the peduncles are completely cut off in autumn.

Location

All the described mountaineer species, with the exception of the bell-bellied mountaineer, which prefers shady places, grow well in open or slightly shaded areas.

Temperature

These plants are mostly resistant to both high and low air temperatures. The only species, the multi-flowered mountaineer, is recommended to be grown in a cold climate with special precautions so that the rhizomes do not die from the cold. To do this, mulch the soil in winter with plant residues, straw or other materials.

Watering

It is necessary for planting, in the early stages of growth and development, in the summer. At elevated temperatures, they are watered very often.

Reproduction

These plants are easily propagated by dividing rhizomes or bushes, in autumn or spring, immediately planting the resulting parts in the ground. In climbing plants, take semi-lignified cuttings with a length of 10 cm or lignified cuttings with a length of 20-30 cm. Semi-woody cuttings are planted to form roots in a mixture of sand and peat (1:1) or peat and agroperlite. Planted in the spring. Lignified cuttings are planted immediately on a permanent planting site.

Diseases

The most serious problem is associated with the larvae of insect pests that gnaw the leaves, peduncles and root neck.

Acquisition

The purchase of seedlings from cuttings of climbing species is usually made in the fall. Already formed young plants are recommended to be purchased at the end of winter. All other species are available in spring in flower nurseries and gardening centers.