Well, what a Sunday! The rain has been coming down forhours and shows no sign of stopping. I am going out in it too. I am adding the lovely purple loosestrife today. It grows in my garden pond and there are huge banks of it in Brookmill Park in the Summer. Something to look forward to and to look out for.
Purple loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife has tall, pink flower spikes and
long green leaves in opposite pairs up the stem. Collin’s Gem book of wildflowers describes it
as “strikingly handsome”. It is quite
vigorous, and I can see that I am going to have to keep it in check in my
pond. I don’t mind it running wild in
other areas of the garden though. I have enjoyed it this summer, watching as it
attracts bees, hoverflies, butterflies, bumble bees. There is always an insect on it.
They’re not happy about it in America. It is
considered a rampant weed. It is thought that it travelled there on ships from
England in the 1800s. ‘Google’ Purple loosestrife and you will see the numerous
websites intent on its malevolent end.
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