Rumex longifolius
Rumex longifolius · Polygonaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant rumex longifolius: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to July, discreet greenish-red flowers
- Mature size
- 80 to 120 cm tall × 40 to 60 cm wide
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20 °C
- Origin
- Central and Eastern Europe
- Soil type
- Moist soils, tolerating acidity
Care
Watering
Prefer a cool and moist environment. Water regularly during the growing period, especially in case of prolonged drought. Avoid completely drying out the soil, but ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Light Exposure
Install the long-leaved dock in full sun or partial shade. This plant tolerates partial shade well and can thrive even in partially shaded conditions.
Soil Preparation
Enrich the soil with compost or well-decomposed manure. A soil rich in organic matter and slightly acidic promotes beautiful growth. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
Fertilization
A compost application in spring is generally sufficient. In poor soil, a balanced fertilizer applied once in spring will support the plant's vigor.
Pruning and Cutting
Remove flowering stems after blooming to maintain a compact shape and prevent excessive self-seeding. Cut the foliage to ground level in late autumn or early winter.
Diseases and Pests
Dock is generally hardy and not very susceptible to pests. Monitor excessive moisture which could promote rot. If problems arise, good air circulation is often sufficient to prevent issues.
Did you know?
Long-leaved dock, like its cousins in the Rumex genus, was traditionally used in European herbalism for its supposed properties on liver and digestion. In ancestral phytotherapy, dock leaves featured in several folk remedies, although its modern uses are poorly documented and require caution.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SorrelRumex acetosa
- Pink knotweedPersicaria capitata
- Mile-a-minute vineFallopia baldschuanica
- RhubarbRheum rhabarbarum
- Maidenhair vineMuehlenbeckia complexa
- Red bistortBistorta amplexicaulis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.