Persicaria 'Silver Dragon'
Trial: Perennial
Year Trialed: 2004, 2005
Good Qualities:
Year 1
Very attractive foliage, long bloom period (all summer) very good vase life, not attractive to vermin; Tall, good color; Nice flower.
Year 2
I like these plants as a group, vigorous nice foliage, interesting and there aren't a lot of these sold as cut flowers around yet.
Problems:
Year 1
The flowers were nothing to look at and foliage is pretty but not long enough to use for cuts; Deer love it, japanese beetles also; Time consuming to harvest.
Year 2
I was surprised by the mortality over the winter - I was actually more afraid that these would escape and become a weed problem.
Trial Data
Year 1
Year 2
| Plants Surviving (%) | Yield (stems/plant) (1) | Stem Length (inches) (1) | Market Appreciation Rating (2) | Repeat Again Rating (2) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 41.0 | 51.3 | 26.3 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 4.3 |
| Range of Responses | 0-100 | 15-89 | 19-40 | 1-4 | 1-5 | 3-5 |
(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
Terra Nova
P.O. Box 23938
Tigard, OR 97281-3938
800-215-9450 x305
503-263-3150 x305
FAX 503-263-3152
sales@terranovanurseries.com
Comments:
Year 1
May not winter over since it is a Zone 6 plant; Two trialers noted a vase life of 11 and 31 days, respectively. Editor's note: see separate postharvest article in this issue for more information.
Year 2