Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a striking native plant with tall spikes of purple flowers from June-September.  This striking perennial can reach heights of nearly two metres!  It has pinky-purple flowers and is a very versatile plant for wildlife: the nectar invites bees and butterflies while the leaves provide food for the hawk moth caterpillars. If you leave the foliage uncut until spring insects will hibernate in the dense foliage. Commonly found in ponds beside rivers marshes and wet meadows.  Juice from the leaves and stems is rich in tannin and it was once used to tan leather.  It grows well in the sun or semi-shade and is designated as Perfect for Pollinators by the RHS.

For smaller ponds the (non-native) Purple loosestrife ‘Robert’ cultivar is a better bet, being shorter and having a slightly neater habit.

Please note these may be cut back in May to remove the dominant central stem and encourage thicker bushier growth.

Lythrum from lythron blood  referring to the red flowers; salicaria Willow like leaves 

Height: 120-180cm

Planting position: Pond marginal shelf up to 10cm deep or very wet soil

Form: 9cm in a solid pot