winged loosestrife

A great wetland plant that has a long bloom time that will also add a great fall color to the garden.

Lythrum alatum (winged loosestrife) are single flowers on the short stalks bloom from each leaf axil. Typically, two to five blooms at a time in a cluster slowly ascending the branch as newer buds mature.It prefers full sun and wet to moist conditions. The soil should be poorly drained and high in organic matter. It is easy to grow from transplants since the tiny seedlings are highly vulnerable to the effect of summer heat and drought.

Many kinds of insects visit the flowers, including various long-tongued bees, green metallic bees, bee flies, butterflies, and skippers. Also, honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees, long-horned bees, and leaf-cutting bee.