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Persicaria maculosa (Redshank) - keep or not?

Anna33Anna33 Posts: 316
in Plants
I've been waiting to see what a mystery plant growing in the borders is, and now the leaves have come through sufficiently, I have been able to identify it as Persicaria maculosa. Looking this up online, it looks like it can also be considered a weed.

This plant is completely new to me, and is something that has popped up without being planted. It already looks pretty vigorous.

Is it worth keeping, or will it turn into a nightmare and seed/run everywhere? Is it any good for wildlife (primarily pollinators & insects), which is what I try and aim for with the garden.

I know nothing about this one at all, but if it is likely to be a nuisance with no wildlife value, I'll hoik it out as there's plenty else I can put in its place. If it will have wildlife value, I'll leave it in.

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Fine in a ‘wilderness’ area but don’t keep it in a bed or border .., it seeds absolutely everywhere. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    It's a weed, or wildflower, quite common. I pull them up in favour of something more worthwhile. There are plenty of plants that are prettier and attract wild life.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It's a pest.  I "acquired" a load of this stuff 2 years ago in bags of compost which clearly hadn't got hot enough to be sterilised.   Flipping redshanks all over the place.  There are much better forms of persicaria to grow both for looks and for wildlife.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I agree and also 'acquired' it, a few years ago.  It's in the elite pack and one of the "One year's seeds, seven years' weeds" variety of weed.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Anna33Anna33 Posts: 316
    Thank you all! I've dug this up and will plant something far friendlier instead. Glad I checked with you guys. :)
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