Common bistort (Easter ledges) Bistorta officinalis
Common bistort (Easter ledges) (Bistorta officinalis) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Polygonaceae family, native to Europe and northern Asia. It grows 50–80 cm (20–31 in) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
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Common bistort (Easter ledges) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Mature height | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: young leaves |
| Native to | Europe and northern Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Common bistort (Easter ledges) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves
Young leaves are cooked and eaten; like sorrel they hold oxalates, so avoid large amounts, especially raw.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common bistort (Easter ledges)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Common bistort (Easter ledges)
- How far apart should I plant Common bistort (Easter ledges)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Common bistort (Easter ledges) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common bistort (Easter ledges) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Common bistort (Easter ledges)?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Common bistort (Easter ledges) flower?
- From about May for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common bistort (Easter ledges) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Young leaves are cooked and eaten; like sorrel they hold oxalates, so avoid large amounts, especially raw.
- What grows well with Common bistort (Easter ledges)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common bistort (Easter ledges). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Pink bottlebrush spikes above dock-like leaves, in damp meadows and at the pond side. In Cumbria the young leaves are cooked with barley and egg in a Lent dish, Easter ledge pudding. Spreads steadily by rhizomes.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Rhubarb Rheum x hybridum
- Sorrel Rumex acetosa
- Vietnamese coriander Persicaria odorata
- California buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum
- Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum
- French sorrel (buckler-leaf sorrel) Rumex scutatus
- Japanese indigo (ai, dyer’s knotweed) Persicaria tinctoria
- Ornamental rhubarb (Chinese rhubarb) Rheum palmatum