Description
Lysimachia – Loosestrife –
There are about 150 herbaceous and evergreen, creeping to clump forming perennials and shrubs, in this genus. They mainly occur in damp grassland and woodlands or by water, in subtropical regions, including South Africa, and North temperate regions, with 130 of the 150 species occurring in China. They have opposite, alternate, or whorled, simple, smooth edged or sometimes toothed or scalloped, often hairy leaves. The 5 petalled flowers vary from star shaped to saucer or cup shaped, and are usually white or yellow, sometimes pink or purple, and either held solitary and axillary or borne in terminal racemes or panicles. Larger species are suitable for a moist herbaceous border, bog garden, or pond margin, or for naturalizing in a wild or woodland garden. Low growing species make a good groundcover.
Grow in humus rich, preferably moist but well drained soil that does not dry out in summer, in full sun or partial shade. Tall species may need support. Divide in spring or autumn.
Prone to rust and leaf spot.
L. clethroides – Japanese Loosestrife – Gooseneck Loosestrife – This fast spreading, softly hairy, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial from China, Korea and Japan grows 36″ tall and 24″ wide. From erect stems it carries alternate, narrowly ovate-lance shaped, pointed leaves, to 5″ long, mid green above, pale green beneath. In mid and late summer it bears starry shaped white flowers, ½” across, are held in dense, tapering, terminal racemes, 4-8″ long, which are pendent before the flower open but become upright with arching tips as they mature.
Zones 4-9
