Species Leafy Goosefoot
bright-red fruits with green leaves and lime-yellow stems

Leafy Goosefoot

Blitum virgatum subsp. virgatum

Leafy Goosefoot is a low-growing perennial plant with arrow-shaped leaves and small, white flowers. It is native to Europe and North America, where it is found in moist, slightly acidic soil. The plant can reach up to 75cm in height and produces small fruit with two seeds inside. Leafy Goosefoot looks lovely when planted in a wildflower meadow or as part of a border. It can also be used as a natural ground cover. As the plant grows, the lance-shaped foliage forms a carpet of green. Leafy Goosefoot is an attractive, low maintenance plant that is both hardy and drought-tolerant.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Nuttall's Povertyweed should be watered deeply and infrequently, approximately once every 2 weeks. It should be watered thoroughly so that the water penetrates at least 4-6 inches into the soil. During periods of extended dry weather, the plant may require an additional watering. Nuttall's Povertyweed prefers moist to wet soil, but it must be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. During active growth periods, supplemental watering may be needed in order to keep the soil moist.

sunlight

Nuttall's Povertyweed is a warm-season annual that is tolerant of partial shade but ideally prefers full sun. In general, this species prefers 6-8 hours of bright sunlight per day. When grown in full sun, Nuttall's Povertyweed will thrive in the early spring and late summer when the days are longer and temperatures are cooler. During hot summer months, however, it may benefit from some shade to avoid heat stress. In any case, make sure your plant is getting plenty of bright sunlight throughout the day to help it thrive.

pruning

Nuttall's Povertyweed requires minimal pruning and should be pruned at the end of the growing season. Pruning should focus on dead heading, removing dead flower stalks and removing any growth that has been damaged by disease or pest. Pruning should also help to promote a bushy, fuller appearance for the plant. Some selective pruning of weakened or crossing branches can also be beneficial for growing this plant. Pruning should be done as little as possible, given that this plant is not a strong grower. Pruning too much could stunt or kill the plant, so it is best to not over prune this plant.

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