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Bistorta amplexicaulis 'Blackfield' – Herbaceous Perennial
Bistorta amplexicaulis 'Blackfield' is a striking and reliable herbaceous perennial, prized for its long-lasting deep crimson-red flower spikes and lush green foliage. Perfect for mixed borders, naturalistic planting schemes, and wildlife-friendly gardens, 'Blackfield' brings months of late-season colour with very little maintenance.
At a Glance
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Type: Herbaceous perennial
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Flower Colour: Deep crimson to near-black red
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Foliage: Broad, bright green, heart-shaped leaves
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Height: 1m (3.2ft)
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Spread: 0.7m (2.2ft)
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Flowering Time: June to October
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Hardiness: Very hardy survives -20°C and below (RHS H7)
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Position: Full sun to partial shade
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Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Deep Red Spires for Late Summer Drama
The standout feature of Bistorta 'Blackfield' is its rich, crimson-red flower spikes, which are held on slender, upright stems above the foliage. These bottlebrush-like blooms create a striking vertical element and are among the darkest red in the Bistorta family, adding depth and contrast to the late summer garden.
Long Flowering and Pollinator Friendly
From July through to the first frosts, 'Blackfield' puts on a long-lasting display, blooming well into autumn. The flowers are rich in nectar and highly attractive to bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens or pollinator-friendly spaces.
Dense Foliage for Structure and Ground Cover
The base of the plant forms a mound of large, heart-shaped green leaves, which help suppress weeds and provide texture throughout the growing season. Its tidy, clump-forming habit makes it ideal for the middle of a border or mass planting for a bold, natural look.
Easy to Grow and Low Maintenance
Bistorta 'Blackfield' is tough, adaptable, and undemanding, thriving in both sun and partial shade. It prefers moist but well-drained soil and is well-suited to damp borders, meadow-style gardens, or streamside plantings. Once established, it needs very little care, making it a great option for beginner and experienced gardeners alike.
Growing Tips
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Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
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Potting: Can grown in pots can be planted at any time of the year providing the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
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Feeding: Apply a mulch of compost or well-rotted manure in spring to enrich the soil.
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Pruning: Cut back after it has finished flowering, or wait until late winter or early spring
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Dividing: Every 3–5 years, divide in early spring or autumn to maintain plant vigour and prevent overcrowding.
Ideal for a Range of Garden Styles
Bistorta amplexicaulis 'Blackfield' suits many garden settings:
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Mixed borders, where its upright form contrasts well with mounding or low-growing plants
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Naturalistic or prairie-style planting, with grasses and late-flowering perennials
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Cottage gardens, where it blends easily into informal, soft schemes
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Damp or shady borders, where it thrives without full sun
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Wildlife gardens, thanks to its long flowering season and pollinator appeal
It pairs beautifully with Rudbeckia, Helenium, Veronicastrum, and ornamental grasses for a dynamic, textural display.
Fully Hardy Across the UK
With an RHS hardiness rating of H7, Bistorta 'Blackfield' is fully hardy across all UK regions, even in colder northern areas. The foliage dies back in winter but reliably returns in spring, ready to produce another season of vibrant flowers and healthy growth. A mulch in autumn or early spring will help improve moisture retention and soil condition.
Why Choose Bistorta 'Blackfield'?
If you're looking for a long-flowering, bold-coloured perennial that supports pollinators and thrives in a variety of conditions, 'Blackfield' is a fantastic choice. It brings structure, colour, and movement to the garden with very little effort.
Order today to enjoy the rich, velvety tones of Bistorta 'Blackfield' and transform your borders from midsummer to autumn.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.