'Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate' was popular in the Victorian era and is now making a comeback: it is a graceful, tall plant with hanging pink-red spikes until late autumn, which self-seeds profusely but never becomes a nuisance – a beautiful weaving plant, for example between old roses, tall dahlias, autumn-flowering Salvias.
This plant is perfect as a background planting in borders or as a striking statement in a garden. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators.

Sow directly into the ground in spring after the danger of frost has passed. The seeds need to be cold stratified for better germination, so sow in late autumn if possible, or freeze for a week before sowing.

Persicaria orientale prefers a sunny spot with moist, well-drained soil. It grows quickly and flowers from summer to early autumn.

This species is native to Asia, particularly India and China, where it often grows along rivers and in fields.