Loosestrife!
(Remember to click on the picrures to enlarge)
Many years ago, when I was just starting to garden, a customer brought me some plants. I don't remember what the others were but my favorite was the yellow loosestrife. Loosestrife is an invasive plant but that doesn't bother me, in fact I like invasive plants in my 'wild' garden.
Several years ago I found some purple loosestrife, Lythrum Virgatum. This plant is planted on roadways because of it's ability to spread. Mine is planted among the yellow and the yellow is definitely more aggressive!
Last year at a plant sale at our local Audubon I found what I believe was labeled red loosestrife. I wasn't really sure what I was getting but I bought is anyway.
The 'red' also has yellow flowers but the leaves are a nice soft burgundy that looks great with all the green around it.
As I shared last week, I traded some yellow for some Gooseneck. I have been looking for this for years but it's very rare to find any loosestrife at garden centers because of it's invasive nature.
I was very excited a couple weeks ago to find a new loosestrife at Lowes! This may be my favorite! The Beaujolais Loosestrife has graygreen foilage and large dark burgundy blooms.
I only bought one pot but may look for another so it will spread faster.
If you are looking for a colorful plant to fill in a large area, Loosestrife is a great choice. The only problem you may have is finding it. If you see some in a yard stop and ask for a shovel full. I'm sure any gardener would be glad to share. Better yet, take a trip to Western New York and I'll share mine!
Many years ago, when I was just starting to garden, a customer brought me some plants. I don't remember what the others were but my favorite was the yellow loosestrife. Loosestrife is an invasive plant but that doesn't bother me, in fact I like invasive plants in my 'wild' garden.
Several years ago I found some purple loosestrife, Lythrum Virgatum. This plant is planted on roadways because of it's ability to spread. Mine is planted among the yellow and the yellow is definitely more aggressive!
Last year at a plant sale at our local Audubon I found what I believe was labeled red loosestrife. I wasn't really sure what I was getting but I bought is anyway.
The 'red' also has yellow flowers but the leaves are a nice soft burgundy that looks great with all the green around it.
As I shared last week, I traded some yellow for some Gooseneck. I have been looking for this for years but it's very rare to find any loosestrife at garden centers because of it's invasive nature.
I was very excited a couple weeks ago to find a new loosestrife at Lowes! This may be my favorite! The Beaujolais Loosestrife has graygreen foilage and large dark burgundy blooms. 
I only bought one pot but may look for another so it will spread faster.
If you are looking for a colorful plant to fill in a large area, Loosestrife is a great choice. The only problem you may have is finding it. If you see some in a yard stop and ask for a shovel full. I'm sure any gardener would be glad to share. Better yet, take a trip to Western New York and I'll share mine!
3 comments:
I would love to take a trip to tour your home and gardens....hey, a girl can dream cant' she?
Hi Jean ~ Who knew there were so many different colors/varieties of loosestrife?! I love the new variety you found with the burgandy blooms. My white was given to me by a friend, and I'd definitely be willing to share some of mine. I've often thought of pulling it all up. Somehow I think it would find a way to come back to haunt me!
Jean, the loosestrife looks fantastic in your gardens. I didn't know there were so many different colors, either. Around here it's just too invasive (sadly) and we have people who are on an Anti- Loosestrife Patrol, I had one visitor who took me to task for having a purple liatris blooming (which isn't loosestrife, lol) and was so very indignant about it's aggressiveness until I calmed her down and told her, no, no, it's not what you think it is. I still think she doubted me, though. All that said, I love loosestrife and I'm glad there are places where it can still be grown!
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