Chris Ghyselen always liked Persicarias, but his real fascination began when he saw a pink variety in the garden of a client. As the first pink Knotweed he’d ever seen, it got him wondering what other possibilities there could be.

Chris set about finding out, and his breeding efforts over the last 10 years have resulted in a long list of new varieties, some of which are already available with others planned for introduction in the next few years.

Chris loves Persicarias somuch that he has taken it upon himself to single-handedly try to increase awareness and interest for this genus.

In his local region he gives away samples of his own varieties to other gardeners who participate in the Flanders Open Garden weekend in an attempt to have them seen by as many visitors as possible. Chris’s friends in the plant breeding world aren’t forgotten either as they also get plants – even Piet Oudolf has some, so who knows where we might see Chris’s Persicarias in action!?

Coming soon…

Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Blackfield'

P. ‘Blackfield’ is 1m (40”) tall with dark red flowers and blue-green foliage. It is named after the village Chris lives in. As a proud resident he wants to honour the village with this special plant.

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Orangefield’

An orange-pink-flowered variety named 'Orangefield'  has its name derived from ‘Blackfield’, even though there is no place called ‘Orangefield’ – at least, not in Chis’s region!

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Fat Domino’

P. ‘Fat Domino’ has exceptionally thick spikes of purple flowers crowning very tall 180cm (72”) stems!

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Pink Elephant’

At just 40cm (16”) P. 'Pink Elephant' is a very short cultivar with blue-green foliage and drooping flower spikes.

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Etna’

P. 'Etna' is a strong 1m (40”) tall plant with dark-red flowers.

You can see these and more of Chris’s and other Persicarias on www.persicaria.be. It’s written in Dutch, but that shouldn’t stop you enjoying the wonderful images. This link will take you straight to pictures of varieties.