Lysimachia ephemerum

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willow-leaved loosestrife

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A spreading, herbaceous perennial forming a clump of upright stems clad in narrow, grey-green leaves. Small, long-lasting starry white flowers in long, slender terminal racemes appear in early summer, followed by brown seedheads for winter interest

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Primulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Lysimachia are herbaceous or evergreen perennials with simple leaves and star-shaped, cupped or bowl-shaped flowers in terminal racemes or panicles, or solitary in leaf axils
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S W Europe, Morocco

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, preferably moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer, in full sun or part shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers outdoors in spring. Divide in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Tidy after flowering and cut down dead foliage in late winter or early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free