Loosestrife

The loosestrife genus is represented by herbaceous plants, which can be annual, perennial or biennial. This genus is a member of the Primroses family. Such a plant was called loosestrife, because its foliage is very similar to a willow (in Russia, all types of willows were called so). As for the scientific name, these flowers were named after Lysimachus, who was one of the generals of A. Macedon, he became the ruler of Thrace and the king of Macedonia. For many years, experts mistakenly believed that it was Lysimachus who discovered the loosestrife. This genus unites more than 100 species. Most species can be found in the Northern Hemisphere, more precisely, in East Asia and North America. On the territory of China, there are more than 70 species of such a plant. There are species that grow in South Africa and South America. Also, these flowers in the wild can be found in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Features of the loosestrife

The loosestrife herb can be annual, biennial, or perennial. Shoots can be creeping or erect, and simple, entire, alternate leaf plates are opposite or whorled. Flowers can be part of corymbose or spike-like panicles, or be single axillary. They are colored yellow, white or light pink. The fruit is an egg-shaped or spherical capsule.

Verbeynik is considered to be a relative of crops such as the lactarius, primrose, cyclamen and ambilanthus. This plant is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and, despite the fact that it does not have a very spectacular appearance, it is quite popular among gardeners.The fact is that such a culture blooms very magnificently and for a long time.

Planting loosestrife in open ground

What time to plant

For reproduction of loosestrife, generative (seed) and vegetative methods are used. Sowing seeds is carried out in open soil in June or in September (before winter). Almost all types of such a plant prefer to grow in a shaded place or shade. At the same time, it is recommended to plant the loosestrife in partial shade, but it can also grow in a well-lit area. And purple loosestrife can be grown only in an open, well-lit area.

Landing features

A site suitable for planting this flower should be moist with nutritious loose soil, while the groundwater should be located very close to the soil surface. You should know that the loosestrife, the brushstorm and the common loosestrife, if desired, can be planted in a not very deep reservoir to a depth of no more than 10 centimeters. The composition of the soil can be anything, only the loosestrife does not grow well on clay soil.

The loosestrife is planted after the soil is fertilized with rotted manure or compost. The planting itself is no different from planting other garden plants. The plant's root system must be placed in a small previously dug hole, which is filled with soil, it must be tamped. The planted flowers need good watering. When planting between the bushes, a distance of at least 50 centimeters should be observed.

Loosestrip care

It is relatively easy to grow a loosestrife, and even an inexperienced gardener can handle it. If the flower is planted on wet soil, then it is not necessary to water it at all. However, with prolonged drought, it is still necessary to water the loosestrife. It is not necessary to feed the plant during the growing season. However, in late autumn, humus should be introduced into the soil.

The loosestrife is an aggressor plant, especially the species called ciliate, speckled or brush-colored loosestrife. To limit the growth of such a flower, it is necessary to dig in restraints around the bushes (plastic or metal pieces, or you can take unnecessary sheets of slate). If this is not done, then soon the loosestrife will grow throughout the garden plot.

When flowering is over, you need to cut out all wilted inflorescences. In upright loosestrife in the autumn, you need to cut off all the shoots.

Bloom

All types of this plant bloom at different times and have different degrees of decorativeness. More details about this will be discussed in the section "Main species and varieties".

Transfer

In order for the loosestrife to grow and develop normally, it must be transplanted regularly. In the same place, such a flower can be grown for about 10 years. However, just a couple of years after planting the loosestrife in open ground, it will become a developed bush, which will have a large number of children. Such a bush must be transplanted. It is recommended to transplant the loosestrife at the beginning of the spring period or in the fall, when leaf fall ends.

Diseases and pests

Such a plant is highly resistant to both diseases and pests. Only aphids can settle on it, which can be got rid of with the help of a special tool, for example, Antitlin or Biotlin.

Reproduction of loosestrife

It was already mentioned above that the loosestrife can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush, and also by root shoots. Experienced gardeners prefer to propagate this plant by vegetative methods, since they are more reliable than generative (seed) ones. It should also be remembered that a bush grown from a seed begins to bloom only in the second or third year after the seedlings appear.Sowing of seeds is carried out in the last days of May or the first in June. However, the seeds must first be stratified for 6-8 weeks, for this they are placed on a refrigerator shelf intended for vegetables. If the sowing of seeds is scheduled for autumn, then there is no need to prepare the seeds, because in the soil they will be able to undergo natural stratification and friendly shoots should appear in spring.

You can grow loosestrife through seedlings. To do this, pre-stratified seeds must be sown, evenly distributing them over the surface of a moistened soil mixture, which should consist of peat and sand. The container is covered with glass and placed in a cool (about 15 degrees) and well-lit place. After 1.5-2 weeks, the first shoots should appear. Fortified plants should be sorted out into individual containers. Planting hardened seedlings in open soil is carried out in June, while a distance of half a meter should be kept between the plants.

Also, these flowers can be propagated by dividing the bush. This procedure is performed at the beginning of the spring period or in the fall during transplantation. First, it is necessary to separate the children from a bush dug from the soil, then the bush itself is divided into several parts. It should be noted that each delenka should have well-developed roots and stems. Then they are planted in pre-prepared holes. The flowering of loosestrife grown from the cut can be seen next season. The care of the dealers should be the same as for an adult plant.

For reproduction of the monetaceous loosestrife, as a rule, cuttings are used, the length of which can vary from 0.1 to 0.2 m. Cuttings are harvested during the pruning process in autumn or in spring. The bottom cut of the cuttings must be immersed in water. When roots are formed on them, the cuttings must be planted in moist, loose soil, while choosing a site in partial shade.

Caring for perennial loosestrife after flowering

It was mentioned above that all wilted inflorescences must be cut off from a faded plant. In autumn, in erect species, it is necessary to cut off the shoots. Then compost or humus should be added to the soil. Any type of loosestrife is highly resistant to frost, so this plant does not need shelter for the winter.

Types and varieties of loosestrife with photos and names

Below will be described in detail those types and varieties of loosestrife that are most popular with gardeners.

Common loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris)

This herbaceous perennial plant in natural conditions can be found in North Africa and Eurasia, while it prefers to grow near swamps, meadows, forests and along the banks of various water bodies. The height of an erect shoot varies from 0.5 to 1 m. The rhizome is creeping. All-edge leaf plates have a lanceolate shape; they can be whorled or opposite. There is pubescence on the lower surface, and the upper surface is smooth. Bell-shaped flowers are yellow-colored, at the base of the corolla there is a speck of brown-red color. Flowers are part of the apical panicle inflorescences. Blooming occurs in June – August. This species is considered a honey plant, it is not afraid of stagnation of liquid in the ground. If desired, it can be grown in a shallow reservoir at a depth of no more than 10 centimeters.

Oak Loam (Lysimachia nemorum)

This species is found in natural conditions in Europe. It prefers to grow near rivers and water bodies, while such a plant rises from the foothills to the subalpine belt. This perennial plant reaches a height of about 0.3 m. The leaf plates are large and wide. On long pedicels there are single yellow flowers. Flowering begins in May and lasts eight weeks.

Lysimachia thyrsiflora, or kizlyak

Such a flower prefers to grow in shallow water, as well as along the banks of reservoirs. The rhizome is creeping. Powerful erect shoots reach a height of about 0.6 m. Narrow lanceolate leaf plates are most often planted. Small yellow flowers appear fluffy due to the fact that they have protruding stamens. These flowers are part of the fluffy axillary apical inflorescences, which reach about 30 mm in length. Flowering begins in the last days of May or the first days in June.

Loose leaf (Lysimachia punctata)

It occurs naturally in the forests of Central and Western Europe. At the end of the long rhizome is a whorl, consisting of 4–6 underground shoots. There is pubescence on the surface of erect shoots. Sedentary leaf plates have a broad-lanceolate shape. Lemon-yellow flowers are located at the top of the shoot, which is weakly branched. This species begins to bloom in the last days of June or the first in July. The flowering period is approximately 4 weeks. For planting this species, it is recommended to choose sunny areas. Most popular varieties:

1. Alexander... A white border runs along the edge of the green leaf plates.
2. Golden Alexander... Green leaf plates have a golden border along the edge.

Crowded-flowered loosestrife (Lysimachia congestiflora)

The homeland of this species is China. Such a plant is yellow - because it has many flowers of golden yellow color, at the base of the petals of which there is a red smear. Lush, succulent foliage has a rich green color. We learned about this species relatively recently - in 1992. The following varieties are most popular:

1. Lissy... Globular inflorescences are yellow in color. The foliage is green.
2. Outback Sunset... This variety is variegated, there is a strip of yellow color on the dark green leaf plates. The flowers are also yellow.
3. Persian rug... On not very large dark green leaf plates, red veins are visible. The flowers are yellow.
4. Persian chocolate... The leaves are purple, in autumn they do not die off. The flowers are golden yellow in color.

Lily of the valley (Lysimachia clethroides), or cellular loosestrife

It occurs naturally in the southern part of Primorsky Krai. The pink-white rhizome of such a flower is similar to that of the lily of the valley, but it is not so thin. The erect leafy stem reaches a height of only 0.2 m, there is pubescence on its surface. Small flowers of a snow-white color are part of dense spike-shaped inflorescences, reaching 0.2 m in length. Such a loosestrife blooms in the last days of June. Duration of flowering is about 15-20 days. This species has been cultivated since the end of the 20th century. Most popular varieties:

1. Lady Jane... The height of the bush is 0.6–0.9 m. Flowering begins in the last summer weeks.
2. Geisha... Variegated variety. The edging of the cream color passes along the edge of the leaf plates.

Loose-leaf (Lysimachia nummularia), or loose-leaf, or meadow-loose, or meadow tea

Under natural conditions, this species can be found in Japan, Europe and North America. This species prefers to grow in shady groves, on the outskirts of swamps, in floodplain meadows, as well as along the banks of various reservoirs and rivers. This perennial plant is a ground cover. The length of the recumbent stem is about 0.3 m. The opposite oval leaf plates have short petioles and a length of about 25 mm. Single axillary flowers are yellow and up to 25 mm in diameter. When the plant blooms, it directly depends on the light level. If the bushes are planted in a well-lit area, then the beginning of flowering will be in the last days of May or June. This species can form a cover both on steep slopes and on flat surfaces.The most popular is the Aurea variety: the color of the leaf plates is green-yellow, this plant does not have high frost resistance compared to the main species.

Purple loosestrife (Lysimachia purpurea), or ciliated loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)

Under natural conditions, this species is found in North America. An erect perennial plant reaches a height of 0.45 m. Paired leaf plates of a broad-lanceolate form have a wine-red color. Loose inflorescences consist of axillary small apical flowers of a lemon-yellow color. This species blooms in August, and it is recommended to grow it in well-lit open areas.

Black-purple loosestrife (Lysimachia atropurpurea)

The homeland of such a plant is Greece. The height of this perennial plant can vary from 0.45 to 0.9 m. The composition of very beautiful spike-shaped inflorescences includes a large number of flowers of a dark wine, almost black color. On the edge of the green leaf plates, there is a small corrugation, which is especially clearly visible in young bushes. Flowering begins in the last days of July. The most popular variety is Beaujolais: the color of its flowers is dark purple.

Ephemeral loosestrife (Lysimachia ephemerum)

In the wild, found in Southwestern Europe. This perennial frost-resistant plant grows very quickly in width, and in height it can reach about 0.9 m. In the last summer weeks, spike-shaped inflorescences, consisting of flowers, grow on the bush. It has been cultivated since the 19th century.

Loosestrife properties: harm and benefit

The medicinal properties of loosestrife

The common verbeynik has a fixing, analgesic, wound healing and hemostatic effect. However, traditional medicine pays no attention to this plant. At the same time, in alternative medicine, such a flower is used for internal bleeding and diarrhea, as well as for the treatment of non-healing and festering wounds, stomatitis, eczema and thrush for a long time.

The composition of this plant includes saponins, tannins, rutin, carbohydrates, silicic and ascorbic acid, so it is widely used in homeopathy. For the treatment of abscesses, the foliage and flowers of the plant are used; it is recommended to apply fresh leaf plates to the wounds. From the dried roots, a powder is prepared that has analgesic properties and the ability to heal burns and cuts.

Looseweed infusion can stop internal bleeding. To prepare it, you need to combine 1 tbsp. freshly boiled water and 1 large spoonful of dried foliage. The infused and strained mixture should be drunk three times a day before meals, 1-2 large spoons.

Looseweed tincture is used in order to restore strength after suffering a serious illness. To prepare it, you must combine 1 tbsp. vodka and a couple of large spoons of fresh herbs. A well-sealed vessel is removed in a dark place for 3-4 days for infusion. The filtered tincture is taken 20 drops 3 or 4 times a day.

Tea is also prepared from this plant, which is used for pain in the head area and for colds. To prepare it, you need to mix 1 large spoonful of rosemary foliage, chamomile flowers and loosestrife herb. Pour the mixture with a couple of glasses of freshly boiled water. After a few minutes, the tea will be ready.

Contraindications

Means prepared on the basis of loosestrife cannot be used for thrombosis, varicose veins, as well as for people with increased blood clotting, high blood pressure, or suffering from sclerosis of the limb vessels. If a child has a dry cough, then giving him a loosestrife is also prohibited.

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