Lythrum virgatum 'Joy'

RHS Plant Profile
wand loosestrife 'Joy'

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wand loosestrife 'Joy' RHS
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Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming perennial with strongly upright, branching stems to 50cm tall, clad with narrowly lance-shaped green leaves. Spikes of soft pink, star-shaped flowers, are produced from June to August. Happy in damp soil beside a pond

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full shade Partial shade
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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lythraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Lythrum can be annuals or herbaceous perennials, with simple leaves in opposite pairs and small star-shaped flowers in leafy racemes
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any reliably moist or even wetter soil in full sun to part shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free