Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate (Polygonum orientale or Persicaria orientale) used to be very popular in the U.S. Originally from China, it was a particular favorite of Thomas Jefferson. As time went on and the popularity of compact, easily transplanted flowers grew, the kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate flower fell out of favor. It’s making a comeback now, though, as more gardeners are learning about its benefits.
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate is a very fast-growing annual that self-seeds in the fall. Once you’ve planted it, you’re likely to have the flower in that spot for years to come. While the plant can grow up to seven feet tall and four feet wide, it rarely, if ever, needs to be staked.
The kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate flower blooms in three inch long spiky clusters that hang pendulously in shades of red to white to magenta.
