Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscaping

Other common names

Fleece Flower

Botanic name

Persicaria affinis 'Border Jewel'

Pronounciation

per-sih-KAR-ee-uh uh-FEE-niss

Mature height

6 to 8 in.

Mature spread

12 to 18 in.

Water usage

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Details

Water use: low

Flower color: pink

Bloom time: July through September

Mature height: 6 to 8 in.

Mature spread: 12 to 18 in.

Colorado native: No

Native habitat: Himalayas

Light requirements: sun, part shade

Cold hardiness: USDA zones 4-8

Elevation limit: hardy to 8,000 ft.

Himalayan border jewel is a groundcover plant grown for its easy-care nature and red fall color. During the summer, the leaves are medium green with red tips and margins. The semi-evergreen plant is spreads through underground stems with a slight tendency to mound.

In late summer, clusters of very tiny, pink flowers bloom over a long period on a slender raised stalk. The leaves turn a spectacular red that persists into early winter.

Performance

Himalayan border jewel has been growing at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden for many years. Although it is moderately attractive throughout the growing season, fall is the best time for this plant because of the bright red color of the leaves.

It will slowly spread throughout an area through underground stems, forming a large colony over time. The more water it gets, the more quickly it will spread.