What is Gooseneck Loosestrife?
Loosestrife is in the family Lythrum. Loosestrife comes in pink, yellow, white, and purple. The purple loosestrife varieties are considered slightly invasive in some zones and gooseneck loosestrife can also be very aggressive in certain regions. It is wise to check with your extension service to see if your variety is appropriate for your area. There are several loosestrife gooseneck varieties, but the garden loosestrife variety is the most recommended for growing. These have the characteristic bend at the end of the gooseneck loosestrife flower stems. In fact, the plant gets its descriptive name from the gooseneck loosestrife flowers on their arching stems, which bear a slight crook at the end. The gooseneck loosestrife plant is low growing and spreads to about 3 feet (1 m.), which makes it an excellent groundcover. It is in the same family as primroses and prefers sunny to partially sunny locations. Leaves are slender and come to a point and gooseneck loosestrife flowers are tiny and white. The perennial is not native to North America but has adapted well to most zones in the United States. The plant survives winter with a layer of mulch around the base and leaves turn an attractive gold in fall.
Growing Gooseneck Loosestrife
It is an extremely tolerant plant whose only complaint is dry soil. Choose a site that is rich and has had compost or leaf litter worked in to improve soil texture and nutrient composition when growing gooseneck loosestrife. These plants can take sun as well as partial shade. Once it’s planted, water moderately as part of good care of gooseneck loosestrife.
Care of Gooseneck Loosestrife
If you have properly prepared the soil prior to planting, this perennial needs no special care. It is not susceptible to insects or disease and can withstand cold temperatures with a layer of mulch over the plant root zone. Cut back the spent racemes to make the plant look better and trim back all the stems to within 2 inches (5 cm.) of the ground in late winter. New spring growth will arise from the crown and flowers appear in June until October. Divide the plant every three years for best growth. The center will start to die out if you do not dig up the plant and cut it into two or three pieces. Plant each piece for new floral displays. Gooseneck loosestrife flowers are attractive to butterflies so dot the pieces around your landscape and enjoy the show.
