Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, is a tall-growing wildflower that grows naturally on banks of streams and around ponds. It has strong, upright stems, topped in summer with long, poker-like heads of bright purple-red flowers. Its flowers are extremely attractive to bees and butterflies.
For best results grow Lythrum salicaria in moist soil, such as around the edge of a pond. Plants shouldn't need staking but deadhead spent blooms regularly to maintain a tidy appearance, and divide clumps every three to five years to avoid congestion. Lythrum salicaria works well grown alongside other moisture-loving plants such as inula.
