Lythrum

Lythrum salicaria

Purple loosestrife

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moist soil
• Flowering period: June to August
• Height: 0,6- 1m
• Foliage: deciduous
• Hardiness: fully hardy

Lythrum salicaria, also known as purple loosestrife, will do best planted in moist soil, in full sun. This hardy perennial produces erect spikes of rosy-pink flowers in mid and late summer.

Varieties

Lythrum salicaria ‘Pink Blush’

‘Pink Blush’. This striking and easy to grow plant provides a long period of interest at the back of a border. It has tall stems topped with dark pink flowers and lance-shaped leaves. ‘Pink Blush’ will reach a height of 1,2m.

Lythrum salicaria ‘Blush’

And then there is ‘Lythrum salicaria ‘Blush’. It has lovely, light pink flowers in late summer and early autumn. Bees and butterflies love the nectar-rich flowers. Expect a height of 90cm and a spread of 75cm.

Lythrum virgatum ‘Dropmore’                         Lythrum salicaria ‘Robin’

Lythrum virgatum ‘Dropmore’

Another one to try is Lythrum virgatum ‘Dropmore’ with slender, loose, upright stems of purplish-pink flowers. The dark green lance-shaped leaves are attractive too. It grows to 1m high.

Lythrum salicaria ‘Robert’

Lythrum salicaria ‘Robert’  grows to a maximum of around 80cm, bearing spikes of purple-cerise flowers from June to September. Perfect for a small garden.

Pruning

When should Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) be pruned. It self-seeds freely. Cut back the flower spikes as they began to fade to prevent spreading.

Alternatively, cut back old growth to the ground in early spring.

Plant combination

Lythrum salicaria looks lovely when grown with Panicum, Helenium, Persicaria, and Astilbe.

Panicum virgatum ‘Squaw’