▷ Loosestrife as a pond plant | All information and details

Data sheet purple loosestrife

Botanical name:
Lythrum salicaria

Origin:
Eurasia, Australia

growth height / size
100-200cm

leaf color:
green

flower color:
red, crimson

behavior/stocking

Location at the pond:
Riparian zone, swamp zone, shallow water zone

heyday:
from July to September

Light requirement:
high

Hardy:
Yes

AnRo0002, 20170723 Lythrum salicaria, CC0 1.0

The botanical name of loosestrife is Lythrum salicaria. The plant originally comes from Europe, Asia and Australia and is therefore native. The loosestrife plant can grow up to 200 centimeters tall become and develops like a perennial.

The plant impresses with purple flowers in contrast to narrow medium green leaves. The flowers are from July to September to admire.

A pond plant: Popular with bees and butterflies – loosestrife

In summer, the sight of the colorful flowers of the plants is enjoyed by the nature lovers. In addition, the flowers also serve as food for insects, bees and butterflies.

The purple loosestrife also offers this variety with its purple inflorescences and is at the same time a well-suited riparian plant to make the local garden pond more colorful.

What demands does the purple loosestrife make?

Loosestrife is a moisture-loving plant in the loosestrife family. It occurs naturally as a purple flowering, tall growing perennial in swampy areas, wet meadows and other areas.

After purchasing the plant from a hardware store or garden center, there are a few things to consider when planting regarding the location and soil conditions. The loosestrife needs one nutrient-rich, sandy, humus-rich soilwhich permanently damp to wet should be.

The PH value of the floor can be in the range of acidic to slightly alkaline and be just as calcareous. He also asks for one sunny location, but also tolerates partial shade. With the right location, purple loosestrife is easy to care for if permanent watering is ensured.

The perennial only needs to be trimmed after the flowering period if self-sowing of the plant is not desired. In addition, the dead shoots of the perennial in the Cut back in fall or spring so that new growth is guaranteed.

Purple loosestrife is primarily used in the pond as a decorative element in the background. The species is considered easy to care for and not very demanding.

acquisition and maintenance

As a widespread plant, purple loosestrife can be purchased on all commercially available platforms. It is customary to sell it as container goods in 0.5 to 3 l buckets.

Possible attitudes

Loosestrife is kept in two ways: 1) in a planter or 2) as a pond plant. The first variant is ideal when space is limited. The species also grows in the pond without any problems. High humidity and sufficient sun are of great importance.

The right substrate

Loamy to clayey soil with a high nutrient content is suitable as the starting material for the substrate. Peat can also be used.

The floor should be one high water storage capacity exhibit. A plant basket is also recommended for loosestrife to minimize the entry of nutrients into the pond water.

fertilizer needs

Fertilize in spring if the crop was planted in the riparian zone. Organic material such as compost should be carefully worked into the soil. In the swamp and shallow water zone, on the other hand, the supply of nutrients is ensured.

Care

Purple loosestrife does not require any care if the site conditions are right (sun and sufficient water). In autumn, the faded stems should be cut back close to the ground if further spread is undesirable.

requirements for the pond

As a moisture-loving plant, loosestrife always prefers slightly flooded soil. are ideally suited Swamp and shallow water zone in the sun.

Due to the growth height, the location should be in the pond background or in lateral area to get voted. Thus, the perennial only makes demands on the location in the pond.

Partial shade is tolerated if necessary, but reduces the abundance of flowers. The water depth should not exceed 20 centimeters. If there is sufficient moisture, the plant can also be planted in the bank area. There it has to be watered daily when it is dry.

The recommended pH value

Regarding the pH are slightly acidic to neutral soiln ideal. The recommended values ​​vary between 4.5 and 8.

These best reflect the natural growth conditions in bogs and wet meadows. The pond water should also have a neutral pH value.

Propagation of loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria mainly relies on generative propagation by seeds. After the flowering period forms the ornamental plant seed which are spread by birds or the wind in autumn. This leads to the uncontrolled spread of the perennial.

Light brown small seeds develop from the characteristic pink flowers in late summer to autumn. These should be stored in an airtight container over the winter.

The sowing of the plant

Sowing takes place in early spring from March. As light germinator the seed must not be covered with soil, but only pressed down. This is done either on the spot at the edge of the pond or in the house on the windowsill.

In either case, the seeds should receive adequate sun and be kept moist. Prior cooling is considered germ-promoting.

Propagation by division of the root ball

From March, the roots of the purple loosestrife can also be divided. To do this, the plant is dug slightly out of the ground and cut in half with a spade.

Alternatively, you can cut off several root parts with a sharp garden knife and transplant them again. In this case, the root is divided, resulting in several cuttings. In this case, the root is divided, resulting in several cuttings.

wintering

The plant is considered frost-resistant. A special winter protection is only necessary for potted plants. It is therefore recommended to place the plant in a bucket of water in a frost-free place, such as in the basement or garage.

If the perennial has been removed from the pond and planted in soil before the first frost, it can overwinter outdoors. In addition, the species is considered to be reproductive, so that any negative effects can be compensated for by daughter plants.