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Plants For The Waterside |
There is also a form with yellow leaves.
L. thyrsiflora has rich golden-yellow flowers on fifteen- to
twenty-inch stems.
L. vulgaris is known as the yellow Loosestrife, having two-
to three-feet stems of large yellow flowers.
Lysichitum. This belongs to a family of plants commonly
known as aroids. They are hardy, though as with many
plants, a hard spring frost may damage the growths in their
young stage. In the bog garden they will flourish with little
attention. As with some other plants, there has been some
confusion regarding names.
L. americanum used to be known as L. camtschatcense. It
is one of the largest of the hardy aroids and flourishes in boggy
soil. Its succulent, fleshy roots lie dormant during the winter
until late March when new growths appear. A rich buttercup-
yellow sheath and spathe develop, the latter being six inches
long and up to four inches wide. As these flower heads die,
the long leaves continue to grow and can reach over four feet
in height. Seed normally germinates well. L. camtschatcense
comes from Siberia and Japan and enjoys boggy conditions.
Although of the same appearance as the other species, it is
smaller and the flowers are white and slightly later. The
green 'fruit' produces seed which is hard to germinate. Root
division in early autumn is the best means of propagation.
Lythrum. These are ideal for swampy or low-lying ground,
although they will also be happy in the border so long as the
soil remains moist.
L. salicaria is a native plant with reddish-purple flowers but
there are many hybrids which are better. These vary in height
from three to four feet and include 'Brightness', with long
spikes of pink flowers; 'Lady Sackville', a compact plant with
tapering spikes of rose-purple flowers and superbum, having
spikes of rose flowers and narrow leaves.
Macleaya. This was once known as Bocconia and it is a
stately-looking plant for the bog garden, although it should be
given a well-drained site.
M. cordata is the Plume Poppy producing large heads of
creamy-white flowers and well-lobed leaves. There is a form
named Yedoensis with bluish foliage and white flowers, which
are apricot colour in the bud stage.
M. microcarpa is less grown and has plumes of bronzy
flowers.
Mimulus. This ever-popular plant is often referred to as
the Monkey Flower and, when established at the waterside,
flowers freely for several months. It must not become dry at
the roots during hot weather. There are various species and
varieties, many of which can be secured in seed form.
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