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Gooseneck Loosestrife Lysimachia clethroides

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
lis-ih-MAK-ee-ah kleth-ROY-deez
Description

Gooseneck loosestrife is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Primulaceae (primrose) family. It is native to Japan and China, and has been introduced to Russia, Korea and eastern North America.

It inhabits wet areas along woodlands and ravines as well as sunny, sheltered mountainous slopes.  It has an upright rigid habit, with small white flowers densely grouped on arching terminal spikes that bloom May through August.  It is grown commercially for use as cut flowers, as the attractive flower spike can reach nearly a foot in length.  The Gooseneck name is attributed to the arched flower spike that resembles the curve of a goose’s neck.

These fast-spreading plants prefer full sun and rich soil. In ideal conditions, plants spread aggressively via rhizomes or become weedy from seed dispersal. Rapid growth may overtake other plants if not kept in check. It grows less aggressively in shady, dry soils but will produce fewer flowers and may become leggy. Plant within areas bounded by hardscaping and divide rhizomes in the spring to manage its spread.  Plant in sunny or partly shaded, moist locations in beds or borders. Deadheading promotes reblooming.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aggressive growth must be managed to keep it under control. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#white flowers#nectar plant#specialized bees#aggressive#spreading#pollinator plant#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#white flowers#nectar plant#specialized bees#aggressive#spreading#pollinator plant#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lysimachia
    Species:
    clethroides
    Family:
    Primulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China, Laos, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and Primorye
    Distribution:
    Introduced to eastern U.S. and Canada
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Lysimachia support the following specialized bees: Macropis (Macropis) ciliata, Macropis (Macropis) patellata, and Macropis (Macropis) steironematis.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Wet soil, rabbits
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny white blooms, produced on arching, tapered flower spikes 12-18" in length. Individual flowers are star-shaped and 1/2 inch wide. and densely arranged on the spike. Blooms early to late summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-6 inch long green leaves have pointed tips and are paler underneath.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Simple stem or may be apically branched
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy