Lysimachia punctata

Lysimachia punctata (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Mid to late summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 90cm

Eventual Spread: 90m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Myrsinaceae

Lysimachia punctata is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with an upright and spreading habit. Its light green leaves are ovate to lanceolate with entire margins, up to 10cm long and 4cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow/ gold before they fall in autumn. Its yellow flowers are bowl shaped, up to 25mm across and appear in the upper leaf axils. Its roots form underground stolons which aids its spread.

Lysimachia punctata Flower (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Lysimachia punctata, commonly known as Yellow Loosestrife, Dotted Loosestrife or Garden Loosestrife, is native to central Europe and Turkey. In its native habitat it grows at the margins of damp woodlands and rivers.

The etymological root of the binomial name Lysimachia is derived from the Greek lusimaxos meaning ‘ending strife’ and is named after the Thracian king Lysimachus. Punctata is derived from the Latin punctatus meaning ‘punctuated’.

Lysimachia punctata Leaf (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Lysimachia punctata useful as a robust plant for use in a mixed herbaceous planting scheme.

Ecologically,  Lysimachia punctata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Lysimachia punctata prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate wet soils.

Lysimachia punctata requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring or autumn.



Landscape Architecture

Lysimachia clethroides

Lysimachia clethroides (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Myrsinaceae

Lysimachia clethroides is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with an upright habit. Its green/ grey leaves are ovate to lanceolate with entire margins, up to 11cm long and 4cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow/ gold before they fall in autumn. Its white flowers appear as a terminal spike which are up to 20cm long. Its roots form underground stolons which aids its spread.

Lysimachia clethroides Flower (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Lysimachia clethroides, commonly known as Gooseneck or Loosestrife, is native to China and Japan. In its native habitat it grows at the margins of damp woodlands and rivers.

The etymological root of the binomial name Lysimachia is derived from the Greek lusimaxos meaning ‘ending strife’ and is named after the Thracian king Lysimachus. Clethroides is derived from the Latin meaning ‘like a Clethra’.

The landscape architect may find Lysimachia clethroides useful as part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme.

Ecologically, Lysimachia clethroides flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Lysimachia clethroides their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Lysimachia clethroides Leaf (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Lysimachia clethroides prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Lysimachia clethroides requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring or autumn.

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 5cm

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Myrsinaceae

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is a fast growing evergreen herbaceous perennial with a prostrate spreading habit. Its golden/ lime green leaves are ovate with entire margins, up to 15mm long and 10mm broad. Its yellow flowers are cup shaped and u to 2cm across. Its leaf nodes will root where they touch the soil.

The species Lysimachia nummularia , commonly known as Creeping Jenny, Moneywort or Herb Twopence, is native to most of Europe, including the UK. In its native habitat it grows in pastures and river banks. Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is commonly known as Golden Creeping Jenny. This plant may be invasive given the right conditions.

The etymological root of the binomial name Lysimachia is derived from the Greek lusimaxos meaning ‘ending strife’ and is named after the Thracian king Lysimachus. Nummularia is from the Latin meaning ‘the changing of foreign currency’. Aurea is from the Latin meaning ‘golden’.

The landscape architect may find Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ useful as an effective ground cover plant suitable for damp soils including pond margins and rain gardens. Care should e taken when specifying this plant as it may spread aggressively given the right conditions.

Ecologically, Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ Leaf (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. This plant will tolerate wet soils and dislikes dry soils.

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ requires little maintenance. Excess growth my be removed as necessary.