By Johnson 
Persicaria orientalis
Widely cultivated and naturalized, kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate also known as prince’s feather or princess feather is a horticultural favorite hailing from a broad swath of Eurasia.
Classified in the Polygonaceae family, this elegant flower is cousin to the notoriously invasive knotweed and shares its pushy tendencies.
The easy to grow nature of Persicaria orientalis (syn. Polygonum orientale) makes it a favorite among gardeners, as the lofty stems and jewel colored, pendant flowers are reliable, graceful staples of late summer.
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Tolerant of a variety of soils and site conditions, this species can become quite aggressive in rich, moist locations.
Read on to find out more about growing this cottage garden favorite. Here’s what I’ll cover:
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate belongs to a plant family that includes many notorious weeds.
This scrappy and tenacious group encompasses such ubiquitous garden invaders as sorrel, dock, smartweed, and mile-a-minute – species that are widely reviled by gardeners and horticulturists alike.
P. orientalis displays the characteristic swollen stem nodes and conspicuous, transparent sheathing stipules – called ochrea – at the base of each leaf that define this plant family.
The species also produces large, bright green foliage, with oval leaves that grow up to 10 inches long and taper to pointed tips.
Quick Look
Common name(s): Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate, princess feather, prince’s feather, lady’s sorrel, oriental persicaria
Plant type: Herbaceous flowering annual
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11
Native to: Eurasia, including China, India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Russia
Bloom time / season: Mid to late summer and early fall
Exposure: Full sun to partial afternoon shade
Soil type: Moist, organically-rich, well draining
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5, slightly acidic to neutral
Time to maturity: 1 years
Mature size: 4 to 7 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Best uses: Back of borders, cottage gardens, rain gardens, pollinator support
Taxonomy
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Persicaria
Species: Orientalis
Toward the end of summer, long pendant plumes of cream to pink to magenta flowers appear on towering stems up to seven feet high. These graceful racemes dip and sway in the wind.
This accommodating Eurasian annual flourishes in USDA Zones 1 to 12. While P. orientalis performs best in consistently moist, nutrient-rich soils, it adapts well to various substrates with regular watering and occasional feeding.
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate adds vertical interest, vibrant color, and a touch of novelty to the late summer garden with minimal effort.
Plant P. orientalis at the back of a border, where its height and cascading flowers can make a statement.
Along a wall or fence, it brings a relaxed, naturalistic look as it leans and sprawls into available space.
Tough and adaptable, this species can even tolerate the fluctuating moisture levels of a rain garden, making it an excellent choice for filling gaps in areas where other annuals may struggle.
How to Grow
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate will thrive in a variety of settings, but performs best in full sun and organically-rich, moist soils.
For optimal flowering, provide at least six, but preferably eight hours of direct sunlight daily. In shadier conditions, plants may grow taller than average but produce fewer blooms.
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate adapts to a variety of soil types, including clay and sand, with a pH of between 6.0 to 7.5.
You can amend your soil with compost to enhance fertility and drainage.
I like to plant this tenacious flower somewhere other plants struggle to succeed.
The magenta panicles of P. orientalis look marvelous twinned with the dark trumpets of many of the late summer salivas, for example.
Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods, to maintain consistent soil moisture.
While the plant can tolerate short periods of drought once established, prolonged dryness may hinder growth and flowering.
Mulching around the base can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Where to Buy
While nursery starts can be difficult to source, some specialty growers or public garden sales may carry them in spring.
It’s also worth asking at independent garden centers, as some may be able to special order uncommon species.
P. orientalis is easy to start from seed, and this is often the most reliable way to obtain plants.
Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate Seeds
If you want to start from seeds, you can pick up packets of 10 available from Seedville via Walmart.
There are a couple of named cultivars available, the first being ‘Cerise Pearls’ which features a more compact growth habit than the species, topping out at 55 inches tall.
The deep pink to reddish-purple flowers have a velvety appearance and are often more vibrant than those of P. orientalis.
‘Shiro-gane Nishiki’ features light pink flowers and is otherwise the same as the species.
Maintenance
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate requires little attention once established.
In less than ideal soil, a two-inch top dressing of compost applied in spring and again in midsummer will support healthy growth.
Pruning isn’t necessary to maintain vigor, but in smaller beds, some trimming may be needed to prevent the plant from overwhelming nearby specimens.
Rather than cutting it back, consider staking or tying stems to maintain structure without removing developing flower buds.
If you live in a cold climate, at the end of the year, P. orientalis will senesce and die. Its long stems can be left up for insects to inhabit throughout the winter or cut down and composted.
In warmer regions, plants will typically die after completing their life cycle following seed production, which usually occurs within a year but may, on rare occasions, take two seasons.
Under ideal conditions, P. orientalis will self-seed freely. To prevent unwanted spread, deadhead spent flowers before they set seed.
Propagation
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate can be grown from seed or by transplanting nursery starts – if you can find them.
From Seed
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate seed is available from specialty suppliers, but be sure to purchase stock that has been properly cold stratified.
This species requires a period of chilling to germinate successfully, and untreated seed is unlikely to sprout.
Sow seeds in spring after all danger of frost has passed. While you can start seeds indoors, this fast-growing annual typically performs better when sown outdoors. Indoor starts may become leggy without optimal lighting.
To sow, prepare a tray or flat with moist potting soil and scatter the hard, black seeds across the surface. Press gently to ensure good soil contact, then lightly cover with a thin layer of soil.
Place your flat outside in a sheltered location where it will receive plenty of bright sunshine and protection from temperature extremes or high winds.
Keep the soil moist, but not soaking, as you wait for germination.
After your new plants have reached three to four inches tall, repot the most robust seedlings into individual four-inch pots filled with moistened potting soil.
When these plants reach six inches tall, transplant them into the garden.
Transplanting
Choose the sunniest site and richest soil available when transplanting kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate.
Full sun and fertile, moisture-retentive soil will support the most vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and slightly wider. In poor or sandy soils, backfill with compost to ensure adequate nutrition and moisture retention.
Pack the amended soil firmly around the roots, then apply a two- to three-inch layer of compost as mulch. Water thoroughly after planting.
In areas with little rainfall, irrigate once a week during the first summer.
While P. orientalis is tolerant of dry spells once established, consistent moisture will promote faster growth and better performance.
Pests and Disease
Easy-care species are often marvelously free from pests and diseases. Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate is no exception.
While young, the plants may be susceptible to aphids but this is typically only in overcrowded situations. In damp conditions, slugs and snails may nibble on your plants.
In humid climates or where airflow is poor, powdery mildew may appear as white, powdery spots on the foliage. Ensure proper spacing and avoid overhead watering to reduce risk.
With adequate air circulation, good soil drainage, and appropriate watering, kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate rarely experiences significant problems.
Easy to Grow, Easy to Love
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate is an annual that is easy to fall in love with.
Its vigorous, quick growth, unusual pendant flowers, and charming, gangly shape make it novel, reliable, and beautiful all in one.
Have you ever grown kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate? We love to hear your stories and experiences, and comments and questions are always welcome!
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