Lysimachia punctata
yellow loosestrife
primulaceae
Whorls of yellow blossoms on upright
spikes; whorled elliptical green leaves
2–3 ft. high; 1–2 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms May–July
Zones 4–8
pruning Shearing plants after
flowering will improve appearances by
encouraging a fresh crop of leaves to
form and may also spur rebloom later
in the year. Deadheading is especially
important in the moist areas where
yellow loosestrife may becomeinvasive. Cut plants back to the ground
in late fall or any time before growth
resumes in spring.
other maintenance This
moisture-loving perennial has invaded
ditches, pond edges, and streambanks
in some areas of the United States,
spreading by both seed and rhizome.
Use with caution. In some gardens it is
perfectly well behaved. Plants accept
full sun in mild summer areas, but
afternoon shade is appreciated where
summers get hot. Like creeping Jenny,
this species is also susceptible to
sawfly damage, caused by a light gray
caterpillarlike insect that can devour
plantings. Monitor for larvae and pick
them off and destroy them should they
appear. The organic insecticide
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) doesn’t work
on sawflies, and yellow loosestrife isn’t
a special enough plant to merit the
risks involved in using more toxic
chemical controls.
related plantS Lysimachia
punctata ‘Alexander’ is a less robust
grower with creamy white variegated
foliage that’s flushed with pink in
spring, while Golden Alexander
(‘Walgoldalex’) features soft yellow
variegation.Macleaya cordata
plume poppy
p apaveraceaeCreamy plumes; large, lobed leaves with
gray undersides
6–10 ft. high; 6 ft. wide
Full sun
Blooms July–August
Zones 3–8
pruning Deadhead to lateral buds to
prolong bloom and prevent abundant
reseeding. Plants can be cut back by
half in May for shorter, more compact
growth. Cutting back later may delay
flowering. Flowers tend to be smaller
on pruned plants. New growth may be
damaged by late frost, in which case it
should be pruned off in the spring to
make room for fresh foliage.
other maintenance Plants are
high maintenance due to their
extremely invasive root system. Avoid
rich soil and shade, which can prompt
even more aggressive behavior. Too
invasive to be planted among other
perennials. Best given a bed of its own
to take over. Requires division in
spring every 2–3 years to control
spread. Staking not usually required.Lysimachia punctataMacleaya cordata