Candle-shaped knotweed

Perennial, bushy plant. Stems erect, 80-120 cm tall. Leaves broad, lanceolate, green, turning yellow in autumn. Inflorescences ruby-red, in long, densely packed spikes. Blooms in late August - September. The photograph shows the cultivar Firetail.

Location: grow in a bright, semi-shaded, cool place with humid air.

Soil: prefer moist, fertile, well-manured soils with a slightly acidic reaction. Snake knotweed tolerates a high water table. Sprawling knotweed and related species are drought-tolerant.

Care: in spring remove brown leaves. Water and fertilize well. In late autumn cut back; trim overly large "carpets".

Propagation: by division, by root suckers. Eastern knotweed, snake and sprawling species — by stratified (1-2 months) seeds sown at the end of May in the permanent position or in boxes over winter. Seeds germinate in light at 18-25°C. They tolerate transplanting with a clump of soil. Rhizomatous knotweeds spread rapidly, forming dense thickets; they can remain in one place for 6-10 years.

based on materials from the website www.ultradrome.narod.ru