Lysimachia ciliata
‘Firecracker’
‘Firecracker’ fringed loosestrife
primulaceaeSmattering of 1-inch nodding yellow
flowers; deep red-purple foliage
2 1/2–3 ft. high; 2 1/2–3 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms June–July
Zones 3–8
pruning The burgundy leaves may
turn bronzy green in the heat of
summer. Shear plants by half after
blooming to force a fresh crop of
reddish-purple leaves and enliven the
planting during the hotter months.
Cut plants down to the basal leaves in
late fall or early winter. Rosettes of
bronzy purple foliage may persist all
winter in mild areas.
other maintenance Use this
plant with caution, as it can spread
rapidly. Fringed loosestrife isn’t asrampant a grower as some other
loosestrifes, such as gooseneck
loosestrife, but that’s like saying a
greyhound isn’t as fast as a cheetah.
Planting it in a dryish spot rather than
the moist soil it relishes will slow it
down a bit. If you do decide to invite it
into the perennial border, frequent
division will be needed to keep it
reined in. You’ll also want to patrol
regularly for runners that pop up,
which fortunately are shallow-rooted
and easy to pull. Full sun brings out
the richest color in the foliage, but
light shade gives acceptable results,
too.
related plantS Other similar
purple-leaved versions of fringed
loosestrife include ‘Purpurea’ and
‘Atropurpurea’. The straight species
has plain green leaves and is rarely
sold at nurseries, even though it is a
North American native wildflower. All
forms are vigorous growers.Lysimachia ciliata ‘Firecracker’