Purple Loosestrife - Lythrum salicaria - €6 per plant 

Purple Loosestrife is a herbaceous perennial producing attractive pink/purple blooms throughout the summer months.  The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees and flies. It is noted for being a highly ornamental plant, attracting lots wildlife including an array of butterflies.  It has a good reputation medicinally, mainly being used as a treatment for diarrhoea and dysentery.  The plant is invasive on disturbed sites. To order this plant please contact us balkanecologyproject@gmail.com.  

Context

  • native region: Europe, Africa, Asia and N. America
  • native habitat: Reed swamps, river and lake sides
  • family: Lythraceae

Predators

  • Galerucella beetles 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun, semi shade, no shade
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline  (can grow in heavy clay soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a -9b
  • Prefers moist or wet soil 

Known hazards 


  • It can be very invasive in many conditions so care should be taken with planning

Overview

  • 10 x 12 plant bag
  • Herbaceous perennial growing to 1 m by 0.5 m at a fast rate.
  • It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen in August - September 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in water 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It can grow in full sun, semi-shade or no shade.
  • It prefers moist or wet soil.

Characteristics

  • form: Herbaceous Perennial  
  • layer : Herb Layer
  • habit:  
  • height x width (m): 1 x 0.5
  • years to bearing yield: 0 years 

Products 


  • Medicinal: The flowering plant is harvested in the summer and can be used fresh or dried. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, internal bleeding or excessive menstruation 
  • Other: A decoction of the plant is impregnated into wood, rope etc to prevent it rotting in water

Functions, behaviours


  • A very ornamental plant attracting welcome pollinators such as butterflies and bee
  • A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c 
  • Can be grown in a pond or as a wetland plant
  • Can be very invasive, so care should be taken when planning planting schemes.
If you would like this plant please send an email to balkanecologyproject@gmail.com with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project