The loosestrife is a beauty in the garden. He loves a humid and sunny place. All information about care and more here.
Color The loosestrife (Lysimachia) brings color to every corner of the garden, especially where the soil is rather damp. About 180 Lysimachia species are known. They are all distributed in the northern hemisphere. One of these species is the golden loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata), also known to some gardeners as Spotted loosestrife. It is used as a natural remedy in homeopathy.
Portrait of Golden Loosestrife
With its bright yellow, jagged flowers and refreshing green leaves, the loosestrife is an attractive perennial in the garden. This robust, hardy plant has an upright, clump-like habit and can reach a height of 60 to 120 centimetres. However, she also has pitfalls. Their roots form runners that spread quickly and crowd neighboring perennials. But you shouldn't let that deter you. If you regularly cut off the stolons or create a root barrier around the plant, you will enjoy the loosestrife for a long time.
By the way: The flowering stalks of the loosestrife are ideal for cutting in vases.
A moist location is preferred
If possible, place loosestrife in a moist but sunny spot. It would be ideal to be close to the bank of the garden pond or stream.
If you don't have such locations, you can prepare a suitable place for the loosestrife. For this purpose, the soil conditions must be adapted to the needs of Lysimachia punctata
❏ The soil should be nutritious and moist
Prepare the soil as best as possible for the clumpy perennial. This should definitely be humic, loamy, nutritious and water-storing. It is best to mix fresh garden soil with compost, clay flour and bark mulch. The soil can thus store the water very well.
❏ Plant in spring or fall
The right time to plant loosestrife is in spring, after the ice saints or in autumn, as long as there is no prospect of frost. Although the plant is pronouncedhardy, it doesn't like frost until its roots are sufficiently anchored in the ground.
You should pay attention to this:
- Before you dig the planting hole, measure the length of the roots. The hole must be only slightly deeper than the longest root of the loosestrife.
- Mix the excavation with clay, compost and bark mulch in a wheelbarrow.
- Now insert the plant and fill the hole with the prepared excavation.
- Finally, press the loosestrife firmly and water the plant vigorously.
- It is advisable to create a root barrier around the planting site to keep the root suckers in check.
In the spring, water the Lysimachia punctatain in flood for the first two weeks. After autumn planting, water the planting until the first frost occurs.
❏ Water more often - fertilizing is not necessary
- The loosestrife needs to be watered more often. The plant does not like dry periods at all, nor waterlogging. Use soft, low-calcium water for watering, preferably rainwater from a barrel. During longer periods of drought, spray the perennial from above. If it rains heavily for a long time, then pause with the watering.
- You can do without fertilizers. If the clump of plants gets older and tired of flowering, enrich the soil with compost and fresh mulch every 2 to 3 years. You can also transplant the loosestrife to another place, the soil of which you have previously prepared nutrient-rich.
❏ Radical pruning in autumn
Stems that bloom in summer are only cut to decorate vases. A shape cut is not necessary at this time. Only cut back the faded perennial radically in autumn. In this way you contribute to the fact that the appearance in the garden is not spoiled and the he alth of the plant is not impaired in the following year. Cut back to a hand's breadth above the ground.
❏ Do not water in winter
The golden loosestrife does not need to be protected from frost. It is considered hardy. However, you should make sure that you stop watering at temperatures below 8° Celsius. Watering is only carried out during this time if the soil is very dry. An absolute taboo applies on frosty days.
Plant diseases and pests
- The loosestrife is largely immune to plant diseases. The only thing he doesn't like is waterlogging, which leads to root rot.
- The plant is also robust againstmost pests. But snails like to attack the young shoots of the plant. You can help yourself with snail fences against pest infestation. However, if the damage is minor, no additional measures are required. The plant recovers quickly.
Conclusion:
Lysimachia punctata is a decorative plant in the garden, also suitable for cutting vases. The perennial likes a moist and sunny spot. The roots form offshoots that you should cut off regularly or tame with a root barrier. Make sure the soil stays moist at all times. Compost and mulch are sufficient for the nutrient supply. The loosestrife is pruned in autumn after it has blossomed.