pennsylvania smartweed
Persicaria pensylvanica
USDA zones3 to 10
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Sizeup to 6 feet tall
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Red , pink
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Notes
Pennsylvania smartweed (Persicaria pensylvanica) is an annual for meadows and rock gardens. This plant likes full sun and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Dense, erect spikes of small, bright pink flowers sit on sticky-haired stalks. It blooms in spring and summer, and it is drought tolerant. Songbirds and waterfowl eat the seeds, so it adds food value for wildlife.
Pairs well with Soraya sunflower, Foxtail barley, and Paprika yarrow.
Native range
AK, AL, AR, AZ, and 48 more places. See all 52
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY; MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, and QC.