Saturday 4 August 2012

Gooseneck Loosestrife

Still sharing photos from my Fleetwood Park visit last month.  Once again, it required research to identify this gracefully curving spike of little white flowers.  Lysimachia clethroides (ly-si-MAK-ee-uh klee-THROY-dees) or "Gooseneck Loosestrife" is a very polarizing specimen with gardeners due to its aggressively invasive habit, with some people loving it and others despising it.  By most accounts, it is a truly delightful addition for the first two years after which it seems to grow horns, figuratively speaking, and take off like a bull in a china shop.  Attempts to contain it often prove futile, although where it is planted seems to have the most impact on how invasive it becomes.  Shade and poorer soil do seem to curtail its takeover attempts.

The flower spikes bloom from July to September and make excellent cut flowers that stay attractive a long while in the vase.  In the fall the leaves turn a rich golden colour.  

Nasty habits aside, I find it to be most attractive and worthy of sharing for Floral Art Friday.

photosbyleanne

6 comments:

  1. I think it is beautiful too. I enjoy reading your commentary as much as viewing the photos. If it is so invasive how does the park deal with it? Dig it out every 2 years or just gives it space to run? Lovely at any rate.

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    1. Kari, the loosestrife was not in the park last year. My first visit was last year and this year there is quite a different selection of plants. I will be checking back in subsequent seasons to see if it runs true to form.

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  2. Oh so pretty! Love it's shape!

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  3. First time I've seen this flower. It's pretty.

    My entry.

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  4. I saw some of this just recently, growing beside a roadway. I had debated including it in my garden until I read about its pushy nature. I wonder if it would do well in a pot. Or perhaps it would throw seeds. Maybe I'll not risk it.

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  5. I liked Gooseneck Loosestrife until it took over the garden. Then my daughter dug it out for me. She literally had to pull roots out...lots and lots of roots. And it still grew. The second time she pulled the weeds out did it and now we are Gooseneck Loosestrife free. This flower is banned in some states. I did enjoy them for years. I loved the delicate neck of a goose flowers. Best wishes, Linda

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