Lythrum salicaria
purple loosestrife
A colourful plant for watersides, pond banks and woodland borders where the soil remains slightly moist, this clump forming perennial produces tall spikes of reddish-purple star shaped summer flowers. A relatively fast-grower, the flowers are also rich in nectar, so are popular with the pollinators.
How to care for Lythrum salicaria:
Plant out in reliably moist soil, or pot up into a pond basket and place at the margins of a pond. Apply a generous mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant in early spring. Cut back the faded flowerheads in late summer and autumn.
Sowing instructions:
Surface-sow directly onto trays filled with good seed compost in March or April, and maintain temperatures around 20C. When seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them up individually and grow them on. Gradually harden off before planting outside after risk of frost. Autumn-sown seedlings (August to October) should be overwintered in a coldframe before planting out the following spring.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.9m
Eventual spread:
0.75m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
-
CAUTION toxic if eaten/skin & eye irritant
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approx 250 seeds
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