Persicaria virginiana (Virginia Knotweed, Jumpseed)

Persicaria virginiana (Virginia Knotweed, Jumpseed)

Loose, interrupted, terminal racemes of native Persicaria virginiana

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Earlier classified as Polygonum virginianum or Tovara virginiana, this native commonly occurs throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic Region. It also is called Jumpseed because pressure on its mature seeds causes them to jump off the plant for dispersal. The striking variegated foliage of the cultivar ‘Painter’s Palette’ is the main attraction to this prolific spreader.* Ground Cover Species, ‘Painter’s Palette’ Foliage and Fruit Height: 1–4 feet (‘Painter’s Palette’ 11⁄2–2 feet) Spread: 11⁄2–3 feet Bloom Color: Greenish to pinkish white (red and white for ‘Painter’s Palette’) Characteristics Clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with upright, arching stems and a knotty rhizome Broad, oval leaves with pointed tips; distinctive sheathed stem joints Widely spaced, tiny white flowers with 4 petal- like sepals in long, curving racemes in summer White oval fruit (red on ‘Painter’s Palette’) with the persistent style drooping from the tip Spreads rapidly by rhizomes and self-seeding Attributes Tolerates drought, once established, and deer No serious pests or diseases Attracts butterflies Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Well-drained Hedera helix - English Ivy Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Liriope spicata - Creeping Lily-Turf Water Requirements: Moist Polygonum cuspidatum - Japanese Knotweed Plant on a site protected from wind Vinca minor - Periwinkle Deadhead flowers or grow in a container to control spread; ‘Painter’s Palette’ can spread aggressively Use in borders, in containers, in woodland gardens, or massed as a ground cover Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–8 *The origins of cultivar ‘Painter’s Palette’ and whether its habit is aggressive or invasive is a matter of debate. Images by Elaine Mills (top), Potomac Overlook Regional Park & by Mary Free (bottom), Quarry Shade Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Persicaria virginiana (Virginia Knotweed, Jumpseed)

Earlier classified as Polygonum virginianum or Tovara virginiana, this native commonly occurs throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic Region. It also is called Jumpseed because pressure on its mature seeds causes them to jump off the plant for dispersal. The cultivar ‘Painter’s Palette,’ which can spread aggressively, is grown primarily for its attractive variegated foliage.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

Persicaria virginiana (Virginia Knotweed, Jumpseed)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):Persicaria virginiana (Virginia Knotweed, Jumpseed)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Persicaria virginiana (Virginia Knotweed, Jumpseed)