Purple loosestrife – Plants for a Wildlife or Water Garden
Introduction
Herbaceous perennial with tall purple or magenta coloured flowers growing up to 60-120cm high, Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is common and found throughout most of the British Isles it may be found in the wild growing naturally in damp areas, along riverbanks, fens and damp meadows.
With strong woody roots, Purple loosestrife is a remarkably tough plant, the leaves are opposite pairs borne on strong upright stems which support the spike of the pretty 6 petalled flowers.
The tall flowers are great for attracting long tongued insects like bees and butterflies making it ideal plant for a wildlife garden.
Planting
Purple loosestrife can be grown in any type of soil, plant in October or March and April, in dryer soils, dig in plenty of organic compost as the soil needs to be kept moist all year round.
Purple loosestrife tall purple-magenta flowers
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) flowers June – September
Care
Pruning can be done in Autumn or Spring, cutting down the plant to just a few centimetres high. Pruning in Autumn will prevent the spread of unwanted seed. In Spring divide plants if necessary and apply a thick mulch.
Cultivated varieties
Apart from the native flowering species there are also a good number of cultivated varieties which include, L. salicaria: ‘Robert’ (pink), ‘Firecandle’ (rose red) and the ‘Beacon’ (Crimson), these varieties are smaller and may be more practical for smaller gardens.
Plant Information
- Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Plant Family: Lythraceae
- Also Known As: Purple willow herb
- Where: Common and Widespread through-out Britain except in the North
- Natural Habitat: found in places like – Riverbanks, fens and damp meadows.
- When does it flower? June – August.
- Height around: 60-120cm
