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Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosetrife)

Purple Loosetrife

Lythrum Salicaria, Purple Loosetrife, Purple flowers, Pink flowers
Lythrum Salicaria, Purple Loosetrife, Purple flowers, Pink flowers
Lythrum Salicaria, Purple Loosetrife, Purple flowers, Pink flowers

Spectacular when in full bloom, Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a vigorous, upright perennial enjoying an extremely long bloom season from early to late summer. It features pink, purple, or magenta flowers in dense spikes, up to 18 in. long (45 cm) held atop lance-shaped leaves.

  • Growing up to 2-4 feet tall (60-120 cm) and 24-28 in. wide (60-70 cm), Purple Loosestrife thrives in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade.
  • A welcomed addition to beds, and borders, this is an ideal candidate for bog gardens and along ponds and streams.
  • The problem with this plant is that it is so invasive in North America that it can rapidly colonize wet areas. One mature plant can produce more than 2 million seeds annually. Seeds are easily dispersed by water and in mud adhered to aquatic wildlife, livestock, and people. Some cultivars have been marketed as being sterile such as ‘Morden Pink’, ‘Morden Gleam’ or ‘Dropmore Purple’ but there seems to be evidence that these cultivars can produce highly fertile seeds if grown with other cultivars or wild loosestrife.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.
  • Deadhead after flowering to prevent self-seeding. Plants may be sheared to the ground after blooming. If done in midsummer, new foliage will emerge in 2 weeks with a potential fall rebloom.
  • Native to Europe and Asia.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lythraceae
Common names Loosestrife, Purple Loosestrife
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 30"
(60cm - 80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Prairie and Meadow
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Recommended Companion Plants

Monarda didyma x fistulosa ‘Oneida’ (Bee Balm)
Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Diane’ (Culver’s Root)
Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’ (Queen of the Prairie)
Geranium ‘Patricia’ (Cranesbill)
Lobelia x speciosa ‘Vedrariensis’ (Cardinal Flower)
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ (Mountain Fleece)
Dahlia ‘Karma Lagoon’
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (Montbretia)

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A Sparkling Summer Border Idea with Queen of the Prairie, Bee Balm and Culver’s Root
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lythraceae
Common names Loosestrife, Purple Loosestrife
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 30"
(60cm - 80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

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