The purple loosestrife makes every pond bank an eye-catcher. In contrast to many other plants, waterlogging does not bother it at all. But the adaptable purple loosestrife also feels at home in other places in the garden.
Even in shallow water, but also on fresh garden soil, the purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) thrives. The decorative flowers attract insects and, like the roots, are said to help with various ailments. Here you can find out how you can take care of this special plant in your garden.
Blood loosestrife: flowering period, properties and origin
The purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a popular ornamental plant that was also used in medicine in the past. The genus of loosestrife (Lythrum) from the loosestrife family (Lythraceae) comprises about 35 species. The loosestrife is one of the perennial, herbaceous representatives of the genus and becomes lignified over time. The perennial can reach a height of up to two meters. In its natural range in Europe and Asia, it is usually found in damp places. Parts of its shoots can even grow in water. The lanceolate purple loosestrife leaves are arranged in threes in a whorl. From June to September the purple loosestrife shows its purple splendor during the flowering period. The flowers are in racemose or spiked inflorescences on the shoots. Another species known to us for the garden is the loosestrife (Lythrum virgatum). Its flowers look very similar to those of the common purple loosestrife. However, they sit at the end of the up to one meter high, bare shoots.
Is purple loosestrife bee-friendly? Yes, purple loosestrife is visited by bees, but also by hoverflies, bumblebees and butterflies and provides plenty of nectar.
The most beautiful species and varieties
There are many varieties of purple loosestrife in different colors and sizes. Another purple loosestrife species, the rodLoosestrife, is known as an ornamental plant.
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
- Lythrum salicaria 'Robert': With a height of 60 - 80 cm, this loosestrife variety remains rather small and compact.
- Lythrum salicaria 'Blush': This variety also does not grow tall at around 70 cm and impresses with its bright pink flowers .
- Lythrum salicaria 'Robin': This cultivar has purple pink flowers and grows compactly to a height of 80 cm.
- Lythrum salicaria 'Fire Candle': This purple loosestrife can reach 1.20 m and has pink flowers.
Tough loosestrife (Lythrum virgatum)
- Lythrum virgatum 'Dropmore Purple': The purple loosestrife 'Dropmore Purple' forms stately purple flowers and grows to a size of about 80 cm.
- Lythrum virgatum 'Swirl': The 'Swirl' variety impresses with pink flowers and a loose inflorescence. It will be about 70 cm high.
Planting loosestrife: location and sowing
As long as the soil is sufficiently moist, the purple loosestrife can stand in one spot in the sun. If you have a garden pond, the best place to plant purple loosestrife is on the edge of the pond. There it can even grow in the shallow water zone up to 10 cm deep in the water. The robust plant also tolerates garden soil with less moisture, but it should then be in partial shade. However, flowering is also more sparse in the shade. To keep the soil moist longer, you can plant loosestrife in a pot in the garden soil. If the container only has a few drainage holes, less water can drain off and the perennial can be kept moist better. It is best to fill the pot with a well-water-storing substrate, such as our Plantura organic universal soil. It consists of natural raw materials and the nutrient supply provides the purple loosestrife with all the important nutrients after planting. From spring to autumn you can plant the loosestrife in small groups of a maximum of ten specimens - this is how the perennial comes into its own. Keep a distance of about 50 cm to other plants.
Tip: Because of its water-purifying effect, purple loosestrife is often used in theCleaning zone used by swimming ponds.
Purple loosestrife in the bucket: It is also possible to keep the loosestrife in the bucket. This should be large enough for the root ball to have enough space. If you place the pot on a saucer filled with water, the loosestrife can take care of itself and you can always see immediately when the water supply is running low.
Proper care for purple loosestrife: pruning and more
The robust purple loosestrife is very easy to care for. Nutrients should be supplied from time to time and the soil should always be slightly moist.
Always water enough to moisten or even wet the soil. The purple loosestrife does not like dryness at all. If he stands by the pond, it hardly needs to be watered. With potted plants, there should always be water in the saucer.
To ensure a good supply of nutrients, loosestrife should be supplied with a long-term fertilizer once in the spring. A fertilizer with a high organic content is suitable for this, such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer. It takes care of the plant for three months and only has to be used once for loosestrife. It consists largely of organic ingredients and only needs to be lightly incorporated into the soil. Alternatively, if you have compost, you can add two liters of it to the soil when planting loosestrife.
Pruning loosestrife should be done so that it can sprout nicely again. Pruning is possible both in autumn and in spring.
Pruning after flowering in autumn primarily prevents self-seeding and the uncontrolled spread of purple loosestrife. To do this, cut off the shoots at the base just above the ground. This removes the inflorescences and fruit and seed formation is no longer possible.
If you do not cut back in autumn, you can still enjoy the beautiful discoloration of the purple loosestrife leaves. In this case, the purple loosestrife should be cut back in the following spring so that it can sprout vigorously again.
Is loosestrife hardy?
The purple loosestrife is hardy and can withstand temperatures down to - 40 °C. In cold winters, potted plants should be wrapped in fleece so that the substrate does not freeze through and the pot does not crackwill.
Propagating loosestrife
There are two ways to breed purple loosestrife. The plant produces many seeds and is very prolific itself. If it is not cut back after flowering, there will probably be a few more specimens in the area soon. Purple loosestrife is not propagated by seed, but you can collect the seeds and apply them to the desired location yourself. Sowing takes place in spring and the seeds should be kept at a temperature of around 15°C.
For varietal propagation, cuttings can also be cut. For this purpose, a young shoot is cut off in the spring, the parts of which can be distributed over several pots. Alternatively, several cuttings can be separated from the shoot tips. Stick them in pots of potting soil up to the leaves and keep them warm and moist. Special potting soil, such as our Plantura organic herb and seed soil, contains fewer nutrients so that the roots of the small plants can develop splendidly. Our soil is peat-free and approved for organic farming. When new leaves form, the cuttings have formed roots and can be planted first in more nutrient-rich soil and then in the bed.
In the spring, loosestrife can also be propagated by dividing the root ball. To do this, the plant must first be dug up.
Effect and use
The loosestrife contains, among other things, tannins and essential oils, which also makes it interesting for medicine. The roots are mainly used, dried and boiled as loosestrife tea, as well as the flowers. The tannins have a diuretic and styptic effect. Loosestrife is also said to help with inflammation, diarrhea or infectious diseases. The native wild perennial also provides food for bees and other insects and can also be used as a cut flower.
Is purple loosestrife poisonous?
Purple loosestrife is not poisonous to humans or animals. It can be planted in the garden without hesitation and is even said to have healing effects.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) also belongs to the local medicinal plants. With us you will learn everything about the occurrence, cultivation and healing effects of eyebright.