Persicaria amplexicaulis Fat Domino - Mountain Fleece

Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Fat Domino' is a large perennial with vibrant and deep colours. Its multiple spikes continuously bloom throughout the summer until mid-autumn, flooding the flower beds with a carmine red. Preferring moist to wet soils, it thrives in full sun or partial shade, creating beautiful and wild voluminous flower beds thanks to its deciduous heart-shaped leaves.

Belonging to the family of Polygonaceae, Persicaria amplexicaulis gets part of its name from the shape of its leaves. They are indeed called amplexicaule: which means stem-clasping or sheathing. Their base actually surrounds the stem on which they are attached. Green and deciduous, they are also lanceolate and cordate (heart-shaped) and turn red in autumn. Numerous, wide, and of medium size (around 15 cm (6in)), they expand in flower beds and quickly add volume. The stems that bear them end with slender spikes made up of multiple small bell-shaped flowers tightly packed together. Those of 'Fat Domino' are like jewels. Starting as carmine red buds, they bloom to reveal a beautiful raspberry hue. This hardy perennial loves water and requires no special care. If the soil is rich, its rhizomatous roots will colonize the surrounding areas and it will easily reach 1 metre (3 feet) in all directions in a few years.

The dense and erect clump of 'Fat Domino' enhances the edges of ponds and adds colour to partially shaded areas. Depending on the available space, it can be placed in the background or intermingled with natural summer accents, such as grasses, whose colours harmonize well with it. Its shades of red allow it to find many companions in our 'white, pink, purple' or 'red and black' inspirations.