Swamp Loosestrife

Light Needs

Full Shade

(Less Than 2 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-8 Feet

Mature Spread

6-8 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 9

Swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus) is the perfect native plant to naturalize wet areas! This fast-growing, perennial sub-shrub will swiftly colonize open areas along banks of water. Growing 6-8 feet tall, swamp loosestrife has long, arching stems that gracefully bend over the ground or water. Each stem has whorls of crinkled, hot pink or rosy purple flowers with long stamens. In fall, the willow-like leaves of swamp loosestrife turn brilliant shades of orange, bronze, and red. 

This wetland plant is both deer resistant and low maintenance. Swamp loosestrife is an excellent plant for filling in space along water features. Grow this wildflower next to ponds, streams, and in marshy areas. In mid-to-late summer, the flowers of swamp loosestrife offer nectar to bees and butterflies while the plant itself serves as a host plant for various native moths. 

Swamp Loosestrife Care

Swamp loosestrife can be grown in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. This plant needs to be grown in wet soils; it cannot tolerate soils that dry out frequently. As an emergent plant, swamp loosestrife can be grown in shallow standing water (generally less than 12” of water). Plant this shrubby perennial in boggy soils with an acidic to neutral pH. Swamp loosestrife does not need fertilization. 

If desired, prune back the flowering stems to the shrubby base of the plant in winter. Since swamp loosestrife can spread prolifically, care should be taken to ensure that it does not overtake surrounding plants. Swamp loosestrife can clonally propagate itself when the tips of its stems touch the ground or water. Trim back the stem tips to control the spread of this plant. 

Swamp Loosestrife Spacing

Swamp loosestrife will quickly fill in space wherever it is planted. Plant swamp loosestrife about 6-8 feet apart to allow room for it to spread.

SKU:

1231015213-pc