Purple Loosestrife is a very colourful flower which will send up spires of reddish-purple flowers from June though to August. It can grow up to 120 cm tall. The plant will grow in rich, marshy areas. By streams, rivers and lakes.
It can be found growing along side Yellow Flag Iris, Meadowsweet and Ragged Robin.
Whilst it will grow in semi-shade it will grow more vigorously in full sun. The plant produces large quantities of seeds which require strong light to make them germinate. It has been used to clean wounds and as a gargle in the past..
Purple loosestrife in Flower
Flowering Season June to August
Height 60-120 cm
Cultivation. It is a perennial plant . It is difficult and expensive to grow from seed. So either divide rootstock in March or take cuttings of new shoots in April. Insert them in cutting compost which should be kept damp until the shoots have rooted.
If planting them as plug plants then plant in the autumn or spring. Make sure you clear a space the size of a small dinner plate round each plugs. Make sure the plugs are firmly placed in and watered for the first few days.
Or introduce them as Purple Loosestrife Plug Plants