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Fallopia baldschuanica

Bukhara fleeceflower

Polygonaceae Central Asia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Fallopia baldschuanica, Russian vine or Bukhara fleeceflower, is a fast-growing deciduous climber in the knotweed family, twining to 30-40 feet (9-12 m) or more and capable of adding 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) of growth in a single season. The slender, reddish, woody-based stems twine over supports and bear heart-shaped to arrow-shaped green leaves 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long. From midsummer to autumn it produces large, branched sprays of tiny creamy-white flowers, sometimes pink-tinged, that froth over the foliage and turn pinkish as they age into small winged fruits. The speed and mass of growth let it smother fences, sheds, and trees, and it can become invasive, layering and suckering where stems touch the ground. It dies back somewhat in hard winters but regrows strongly. Native to the mountains of Central Asia, from Tajikistan to western China, it is widely planted to cover eyesores quickly but is listed as an invasive or restricted plant in several regions because of its aggressive spread. It tolerates poor soils, drought, pollution, and hard pruning.

Native Range

Native to the mountains of Central Asia, from Tajikistan and Afghanistan to western China. It is widely naturalized in Europe and North America, where it spreads from plantings into hedgerows, railway banks, and waste ground.

Suggested Uses

Planted to cover large fences, walls, pergolas, and unsightly structures quickly where vigorous growth is wanted and space allows. Because of its invasive tendencies, it is suited only to contained urban sites well away from natural areas, and many gardeners choose less aggressive climbers instead.

How to Identify

Identified by vigorous twining reddish stems, heart- to arrow-shaped green leaves 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, and froth-like sprays of small creamy-white to pink flowers from midsummer onward. The flower sprays and winged fruits resemble those of Japanese knotweed but appear on a tall, twining climber rather than an upright cane. The papery sheath at each leaf joint marks it as a knotweed relative.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 40'

Width/Spread10' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers profusely from midsummer to mid autumn, generally July to October, in airy branched panicles of tiny white to pink-tinged blooms. The late, abundant flowers draw bees, wasps, and hoverflies. Small three-winged fruits follow and ripen pinkish-brown.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

creamy-white to pink

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand chalk

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on almost any soil, including poor, dry, and compacted ground, and tolerates drought, urban pollution, and exposure once established. Its extreme vigor calls for a strong support and regular cutting back to stay within bounds, and it is kept well clear of buildings, small trees, and weak structures. It regrows from the base after hard frost or hard pruning. Stems layer and root where they touch soil, so containment is ongoing. Because it can overwhelm other plants and is invasive in some regions, planting is restricted in parts of Europe and North America.

Pruning

Cutting back hard at any time of year controls size, and it tolerates severe pruning, regrowing quickly from old wood and the base. An annual or twice-yearly cut keeps it from swamping its support. Stems rooting at ground level are removed to limit layering and spread.

Pruning Schedule

early springsummer