Purple Loosestrife

We have tons of purple loosestrife growing in our back field & have for years. It gets very wet back there especially after winter or heavy rain, that's why it proliferates in these parts. We're in a valley & there's low lying areas all over. Its in full bloom right now.

One thing I remember, quite a few years back, purple loosestrife was making headlines all over the place for people to report seeing it, to get rid of it, etc because its ruining & drying up wetlands.

Now, you never hear anymore. Did the media get tired of writing about it, is it no longer a threat?

Re: Purple Loosestrife

I have a clump of it growing in a large container ,very wet soil & this seems to suit them




It is a spectacular plant fully2 metres high & still growing, always covered in bees. I sit looking at it & marvel.

Re: Purple Loosestrife

Yes it is beautiful to look at, and you're right about the wet soil.

Re: Purple Loosestrife

Just found some on my local lake, it came in on a replanted floating reedbed that died due to cold winters.

Already it has spread to the bank side, i feel it will be a plague next year, like Himalayan Balsam, and Rhododendron, pretty plant but too invasive.

Re: Purple Loosestrife

I inadvertently spread balsam from my garden to many others from seed caught up in my turn ups from exploding seed pods.

Rather similar to "miss Wilmott's Ghost", except that her's were sown deliberately.

Re: Purple Loosestrife

Had to Google that Robert , an ancestor to modern day guerrilla gardeners who plant up waste land roundabouts etc.

Always nice to learn something new.

Re: Purple Loosestrife

Glad you did NOM.