Content
- Scheckenknöterich - vigorous ground cover for shady locations
- Pretty pink flowers from June to September
- Interesting varieties
- Unpretentious and happy to grow
- Maintain Scheckenknöterich properly
- Tips & Tricks
Knöterich is perfect as ground cover: It is easy to care for and grows fast
Scheckenknöterich - vigorous ground cover for shady locations
The family of the Knöterichgewächse is very large: world-wide are approximately 48 kinds and more than 1200 different kinds admits. In addition to perennial and climbing Knöterichen there are also soil-covering species, of which especially the Scheckenknöterich is often and gladly planted. Like all knotweed, this one is also extremely vigorous.
Pretty pink flowers from June to September
The sweetbottom (Bistorta affinis), forms dense, flat, mostly winter or evergreen carpets, which also offer between July and September with delightful, pink flower spikes. The species thrives excellently on moderately nutrient-rich, moist soils and prefers light-shady to partially shaded locations. Heat (eg in full sun) is usually poorly tolerated. The species is ideal as a surface filler.
Interesting varieties
Of course, a piebald is not the same as another. The different varieties differ mainly in terms of their stature height and the intensity of the flower color.
Unpretentious and happy to grow
Bistorta affinis is considered quite undemanding and very willing to flower. Occasional dry phases are generally well-weathered, only waterlogging is - as many plants - not tolerated. However, the Scheckenknöterich is very vigorous, which is why you must necessarily monitor its growth regularly and, if necessary, limit. It is best, however, to limit growth from the outset, for example, by a deeply embedded bed of border stone - the species spreads through Wurzelausläufer.
Maintain Scheckenknöterich properly
Like the Knigknöterich also the Scheckenknöterich quite a lot of water and should therefore be watered regularly. In terms of fertilization, incorporation of mature mixed compost and other organic fertilizer (eg horn shavings) is sufficient. Chickweed is propagated either by division or by shoot cuttings.
Tips & Tricks
If you are looking for a more ornate budding knotweed, the meadow-weevil is a good choice. This also has the advantage that its young shoots are edible as vegetables.