Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
- Height × spread
- 0.7m – 1.2m × 0.3m – 0.46m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A handsome late summer flowering plant that is sometimes seen growing wild at the edge of streams or in boggy places. It makes a column of small flowers, coloured a rich purple in the species. There are a number of cultivars and these produce flowers in shades of red and pink. Some of them have a more compact growth habit. It can be invasive in preferred conditions but is sometimes used in a border as well as in wild or water gardens.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.7m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Found in
More Lythrum
Lythrum
Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria 'Blush'
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria 'Feuerkerze'
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria 'Robert'
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria 'The Beacon'
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum virgatum
Slim leaf loosestrife
Lythrum virgatum
Slim leaf loosestrife