Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife) seeds

Stately British native wildflower with tall, majestic spikes of magenta flowers from June to August.  Loves wet soil and is perfect for boggy areas where little else will survive, pond edges and poorly drained clay soil.  The nectar rich flowers attract a host of beneficial, pollinating insects including bees and butterflies.  Will colonise once established and can easily be divided.  Grow it with Yellow Loosestrife for a lovely contrast.

Hardy Perennial
Flowers: June to August
Height: 100-150cm, Spread: 10-50cm
Position: Sun in wet soil

Packet of 250 seeds

RHS Plants for Pollinators. 

The RHS Plants for Pollinators mark is only given to plants that support pollinating insects. Find out more at rhs.org.uk/plantsforpollinators

GROWING GUIDE

Seeds can be sown outdoors where they are to flower during spring or autumn,  or indoors at any time.

Indoors

Sow on the surface of moist, free-draining seed compost in pots or seed trays and just cover with a very thin sprinkling of compost.  Propagate at 15 to 20 C in a propagator or on a windowsill shaded from direct sun.  Germination should begin within about 3 weeks but can sometimes be slow and erratic so patience might be needed!

When the seedlings emerge, grow them on at a slightly cooler temperature and pot them up when they have their second set of leaves into 9cm pots.

Harden the plants off by placing them outdoors during the day for 10 days before planting out after the last frosts.

Outdoors

Prepare bare soil or bare patches in grass by digging out weeds/grass and raking over.  Water well, leave for a few weeks and dig out any new weeds/grass. Scatter seeds on the surface and press lightly into soil.  Water with a fine spray/mist.  Remove any obvious weeds as they appear and keep area well watered in dry weather.

Cut down plants in autumn after they have set seed and remove any weeds. Rake over any bare patches and firm the soil.   New plants will emerge in spring.