Lythrum salicaria L.
Hairy Purple Loosestrife
Purple loosestrife is a tall, robust perennial native to Britain and across temperate Europe and Asia. From a woody base it sends up clumps of upright, square stems clothed in narrow, willow-like leaves, topped through high summer and into early autumn by dense, tapering spikes of small, vivid magenta-purple flowers.
About
Purple loosestrife is a tall, robust perennial native to Britain and across temperate Europe and Asia. From a woody base it sends up clumps of upright, square stems clothed in narrow, willow-like leaves, topped through high summer and into early autumn by dense, tapering spikes of small, vivid magenta-purple flowers. A well-grown stand makes a striking vertical accent in damp ground.
It is a plant of wet places, growing along river and pond margins, in marshes, fens, wet meadows and ditches, where it favours sunny positions and reliably moist to waterlogged soil. The long-flowering spikes are an excellent late-season nectar source, drawing in bees, butterflies and other insects. It is well suited to pond and stream edges, rain gardens and damp wildlife borders. Gardeners abroad should note it is regarded as an invasive weed in North America, though in Britain it is a valued native.
Also known as
Purple Loosestrife · Purple Lythrum · Purple-Loosestrife · Rainbow Weed · Rainbow Weed, Spiked Loosestrife, Purple-loosestrife · Spiked Loosestrife
Synonyms
? anceps · ? glabricaule · Chabraea vulgaris · Lythron salicarium · Lythrum alternifolium · Lythrum anceps · Lythrum argyi · Lythrum cashmerianum · Lythrum cinereum · Lythrum coronense · Lythrum diffusum · Lythrum dubium
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.