Lythrum salicaria Swirl

Lythrum salicaria 'Swirl', also known as purple loosestrife 'Swirl', is an elegant perennial for moist or marshy soil, bearing long, slender, and graceful spikes of pink flowers in summer. It forms beautiful upright clumps, although not as tall as those observed in the species. They consist of woody and sturdy stems with bright green lanceolate leaves resembling those of willows. Hardy, robust, and prolific, it thrives in full sun or partial shade, in ordinary but moist soil, along the banks of water bodies, where the rootstock is partially submerged. An ideal variety for small-sized ponds.

Common loosestrife is native to Europe, North Africa, and Northern Asia. It always grows in wet, even waterlogged soil, and frequently spreads in shallow water, at the edge of water bodies. This herbaceous perennial from the Lythraceae family has given rise to a few horticultural forms, including 'Swirl', which is shorter with pink spikes.

The 'Swirl' variety, anchored on a compact and powerful stump, is equipped with nodose rhizomes. It produces hairy, erect, woody, reddish-brown, leafy stems, forming a clump at least 60cm (24in) high and 50cm (20in) wide. In July-August, it bears magnificent inflorescences in the form of graceful spikes, 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in) long, filled with small pastel pink tubular flowers with a red throat. The flowers bloom from the base to the top. The flowering is followed by the formation of capsule-shaped fruits, whose seeds are often dispersed by water. The deciduous leaves are narrow and elongated, somewhat like those of willows.

Lythrum salicaria 'Swirl' is an easy-to-grow perennial, ideal for decorating the surroundings of water bodies or marshy areas, which it illuminates with its generous summer flowering. It pairs well with a multitude of plants and forms beautiful autumn compositions. Plant it in the company of Joe-Pye weeds, loosestrifes, Filipendula rubra 'Venusta', and marsh spurge, for example. In a wilder style, this robust perennial looks wonderful at the back of a border with grasses: miscanthus, panicum, stipa, for example.  It can be grown in borders in rather heavy and constantly moist soil, or in waterlogged containers. Its vertical silhouette forms a beautiful contrast with the majestic fountain-like habit of royal ferns. However, it can sometimes become invasive if the required conditions are met, self-sowing spontaneously in fertile, well-drained, and humid soil.

The common loosestrife was once consumed as a medicinal and edible plant during times of scarcity. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, while the stem and its pulp can be enjoyed after cooking. The flowers provide a red dye for confectionery.

Tips:

Cut the faded flowers in early autumn to limit its spread.