Persicaria amplexicaule 'Firetail'
Good Qualities:
Year 1:
Wonderful pink color pink (4); Long vase life (3); Looked good in our posy bundles; Great plant. Customers liked it. I loved it.
Year 2:
Great crimson color (2); This is a surprising plant. It looks nice when it is kept damp and it is very productive; Very airy. Very strong grower; Flowered all season and looked best in fall; Good length and good production; Long lasting.
Problems:
Year 1:
It regrew slowly after being cut. Short blooms; We are learning when to cut. Takes many stems to make a bunch 20-25; Hard to know when it's ready to cut.
Year 2:
Keeping roots wet. Overwintering (must be mulched heavily). Roots tend to come up out of ground; Lots of stems to make a bunch; Unable to sell because foliage turned reddish brown like it was burnt.
Trial Data
Year 1
| Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating (1) | Repeat Again Rating (1) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 14.1 | 23.6 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Year 2
| Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating (1) | Repeat Again Rating (1) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 49.0 | 26.4 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.8 |
(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
Green Leaf Enterprises
2369 Old Philadelphia Pike
Lancaster, PA 17602
717-299-0300
FAX 717-299-7162
perennials@yoder.com
Comments:
Year 1:
The real testBwill it overwinter in zone 3. Very hot dry summer; This is a winner! I have been cutting on these plants for 6 weeks. Florists love itBspike with great color; Excellent product. Good response after we introduced to buyers. Will do more; This dries very well. Florists really like this one; I have been growing Polygonum supurbum for 3 years and have yet to sell a good stem. It is just too short. Maybe this yearBplants look good!; I hope this one makes it through the winter but I'm not sure. I loved it. Great in bouquets. Nice to have a spiky flower that color.
Year 2:
More delicate and latter bloomer than Persicaria bistorta superba; Very vigorous.