Persicaria orientalis aka Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate

Taxonomy

Persicaria orientalis, also known as kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate and princess-feather, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Polygonum orientale and later transferred to the genus Persicaria by Édouard Spach in 1841. The plant's native distribution is uncertain, with Kew's Plants of The World Online listing it ranging from the Russian far east to Indochina, Malesia, and Australia. However, other sources mention a wider distribution in temperate and tropical Asia and Australia. Nevertheless, it is widely cultivated and naturalized. This annual plant can reach a height of approximately 1.5m and features jointed stems and ovate to heart-shaped, slightly hairy green leaves. From mid-summer to autumn, it produces long, sometimes pendent tassels of small, deep pink flowers on slender branching stems. If you wish to remove Persicaria orientalis from your garden, it is important to take appropriate measures.

Common names

Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate, Prince's Feather, Princess Feather, Oriental Smartweed

How to care for Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate requires special care to keep it thriving. Its sensitivity to dry soil means that you need to be especially careful when it comes to selecting the right potting soil. Look for a soil that will retain moisture, but is also well-draining. A good potting soil should have plenty of organic material, such as coco coir or sphagnum moss, which will help to keep the soil moist and provide extra nutrition for your plant. When planting your Princess Feather, make sure to mix the soil with some compost or manure to give it an extra boost of nutrients. Additionally, you should water your plant often to ensure that the soil remains moist. With the right care and attention, your Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate will bloom beautifully in your home.

Lighting

Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Princess Feather.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.


More info:
Wikipedia