Loosestrife (Lysimachiaspp.)
is a large plant family with more than 180 species of herbaceous and evergreen perennials.
Types vary from stately plants suitable for borders to ones that serve as creeping groundcovers.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Although all varieties of loosestrife bear attractive flowers, these plants are also grown for their foliage.
Those leaves take on a pink tinge as they emerge in spring for an eye-catching show of color.
In the heat of summer, the plant benefits from some partial shade.
Credit: Denny Schrock
The shortest varieties are best suited for groundcover.
Regular thinning keeps this plant under control.
Surrounding loosestrife with a weed barrier or bamboo barrier restricts its running habit.
Credit: Arthur De Gennaro
Many gardenerscultivate this plant in a containerto contain its rampant growth.
Many of the 180+Lysimachiagenus loosestrife species are invasive in different areas of the United States.
Check with your local agricultural extension office before planting.
Credit: Denny Schrock
TheLythrumgenus also contains plants called loosestrife.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the loosestrife nursery container.
Remove the plant from the container being careful not to damage any of the rhizomes or roots.
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Loosestrife Care Tips
Loosestrife is easy to care for when its basic needs are met.
If that’s your worry, plant loosestrife where it will besheltered from the sun in the afternoon.
The plant will still perform beautifully.
Credit: Susan A. Roth
Soil and Water
For best results, plant loosestrife inwell-drained, consistently moist soil.
Note that some loosestrife species are former wetland plants that prefer wet soil.
Read the nursery tag carefully for this information before you buy.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Temperature and Humidity
These perennials are hardy inUSDA zones 4-9.
They are hardy enough to survive a cold winter and return in spring.
As long as the plants are watered regularly, they can grow in both high and low humidity.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
When the humidity is very high, cut back on watering.
Fertilizer
Pruning
Loosestrife goes dormant during the winter.
At that point,cut the plant backclose to the ground.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Potting and Repotting Loosestrife
Gardeners may prefer to grow loosestrifein a pot outdoorsto contain the plant.
The container can be buried in the garden or a decorative addition to a patio.
Either way, the plant will die back in the winter.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Pests and Problems
In general, loosestrife plants are relatively unaffected by pests.
Try not to damage the rhizomes.
Each section should have a portion of foliage and undamaged rhizomes.
Remove any foliage from the bottom half of the cutting and dip it inrooting hormone.
Put it in the pot and firm the planting medium around it.
Water lightly, cover the container with a clear plastic bag to retain humidity.
Put it in a warm, bright area and check it occasionally to keep the medium and cutting moist.
Resistance indicates the seedling has rooted.
Remove the plastic bag and wait untilthe seedlingdevelops roots at least an inch long before transplanting.
Cut it from the plant and crush it to release the seeds.
Store the seeds in a jar in a cool, dry place.
When ready,prepare a seed flat or potwith a sterile seed-starting medium.
Sow the seeds on top of the medium and water them lightly.
Cover the seeds and container with plastic or put them in a clear plastic bag.
Remove the plastic when you see growth.
This plant displays tall stalks of golden-yellow, star-shaped flowers that last almost the entire growing season.
The dark 3-inch leaves, sometimes variegated with white, are also arranged in whorls.
In the damp areas that this flower prefers, it may become invasive.
It bears round chartreuse foliage and grows 2 inches tall.
It can spread indefinitely.
It is sometimes used as a cut flower.
It is very aggressive and can become a nuisance.
Zones 4-9
Purple Lance-Leafed Loosestrife
Lysimachia lanceolatavar.
purpureaemerges in spring with exciting deep-purple foliage that holds its color all season.
Clusters of bright yellow 1-inch flowers nod atop 2- to 3-foot stems.
Many of the best cultivars are hybrids.
All are excellent for cutting.
Deadhead to extend bloom time and divide the clumps every couple of years to ensure vigor.
Outside of their hardiness range, store the rhizomes in a frost-free place for winter.
Yet they look so delicate, producingglorious trumpet-shaped bloomsin myriad colors.
The flowers are borne on leafless stems.
The strappy foliage may be evergreen or deciduous.
Veronica
Easy and undemanding,veronicas catch the eyein sunny gardens over many months.
Provide full sun and average well-drained soil.
Regular deadheading extends bloom time.
