Botanical Name: Polygonum orientale
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Common Name: Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate  
Plant photo of: Polygonum orientale
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Annual

 

Height Range

3-6', 6-12'

 

Flower Color

Pink, Red

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive

Design Styles

English Cottage

 

Accenting Features

Unusual Shape

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Background, Perennial Border

 

Special Uses

n/a

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

This old-fashioned annual, besides having maybe the very best name of any flower, grows to be six or seven feet tall, with long, pendulous clusters of bright pink to rose flowers. The leaves are large, oval to ovate, soft green, and slightly downy. Some references identify its use in American gardens as early as the 1730s.
This plant seems to prefer rich, well draining soils that receive regular irrigation (but not over-watering). The less water, the shorter the plants. Grow in full sun. Start from seed (the seeds need to be chilled - one source said to leave the seeds outside in the shed for the winter). It can be a prolific self-seeder, which is good or bad depending on your perspective. Birds love the seeds.