Location specific values:
Array
(
    [lat] => 32.459700
    [lng] => -86.457300
    [elevation] => 84.5017
    [rainfall] => 1389.635
    [cold_temperature] => 1.9856
    [temperature] => 33.1124
    [user_eto] => 1223.23046096
)

Plant specific values:
Array
(
    [rain_min_irrigation] => 1321
    [eto_corrected] => 961
    [eto_adjusted_rain_min (rain_min_irrigation / eto_corrected)] => 1.04578564
)
Pennsylvania Smartweed (Persicaria pensylvanica) | Easyscape Plant Profile

Pennsylvania Smartweed

(Persicaria pensylvanica)

Pennsylvania Smartweed (Persicaria pensylvanica)

/

return to results
Previous Plant Next Plant

/

Persicaria pensylvanica image
scroll forward scroll backward
scroll forward scroll backward
Estimated Native Range
Species Map Help

Climate Requirements for Prattville, Alabama

This Plant Your Site Plant Suitability for Your Location
• Precipitation 3" - 99" 55" Aquatic Aquatic
• High Temp. 62°F - 107°F 92°F Your summer temperatures are normal for this plant. Excellent
• Low Temp. -15°F - 67°F 36°F Your winter temperatures are normal for this plant Excellent
This plant should grow very well at your location without additional irrigation.

Summary

Persicaria pensylvanica, commonly known as Pennsylvania Smartweed, is an annual herb native to a wide range of wetland habitats including marshes, stream banks, and moist fields across North America and Cuba. It can grow from 10 cm (3.9 in) to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall, with a sprawling habit and lance-shaped leaves. The plant is known for its elongated spikes of densely clustered flowers, which can be pink, red, or white, blooming profusely in the summer and fall and attracting various pollinators.

Pennsylvania Smartweed is valued for its wildlife benefits, as it provides food for waterfowl and cover for small animals. It is often used in wetland restoration projects and can be found in rain gardens or as a part of naturalized plantings. In cultivation, it prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, and it thrives in moist to wet soils with varying drainage. While it is not commonly used in formal garden settings due to its aggressive self-seeding, it can be a useful plant for erosion control on water edges. Gardeners should be aware that it can become invasive and may require management to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.5-6 feet
  • Width: 0.2-0.4 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Pink, White
  • Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

native to a wide range of wetland habitats including marshes, stream banks, and moist fields across North America and Cuba

Other Names

Common Names: Pennsylvania Knotweed, Pink Knotweed, Pinkweed, Renouée De Pennsylvanie, Amerikaans Perzikkruid, Kvarnpilört

Scientific Names: Persicaria pensylvanica, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. laevigatum, Polygonum pensylvanicum f. pallescens, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. durum, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. eglandulosum, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. nesophilum, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. rosaeflorum, Persicaria pensylvanica var. laevigata

GBIF Accepted Name: Persicaria pensylvanica (L.) M.Gómez