Purple LoosestrifeDescription
Shrubby plant with the most delightful spikes of deep purple flowers in late Summer. Happy to grow in permanently damp soil to a covering of 10cms depth of water.
Top tip: When planting in Spring, make sure the soil covers all the roots and any pale white, new shoots – see gallery picture. Lightly prune all leafy shoots back in May to promote a bushier plant.
Flowers: July/September
Height of plant: 30-70cm from crown with spears of flowers held above the foliage.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings taken in June
How to plant: Plant into a 5lt planting basket using heavy garden loam or Westland Aquatic Soil and place on a shelf in the pond. Fill the planting basket with soil so that the crown of the plant – from where the roots grow down and the shoots grow up – is level with the rim of the basket. Hold the plant securely and fill in with soil all around the roots, press the soil down very firmly but being careful not to damage any new shoots. Fill the planting crate to just below rim. For aesthetic purposes, the soil can then be top dressed with no more than 1cm of pea gravel.
Recommended planting depth: Position on the shelf so that the soil in the basket is 0-10cm below the water surface. The planting depth is always measured from soil surface to water surface, not including any gravel top dressing. Raise the basket on slabs or bricks to achieve the recommended planting depth.
