Swamp Loosestrife, (Decodon verticillatus)

Swamp Loosestrife thrived after we planted a cutting into the mud of Beaver Lake decades ago. We were delighted to see the skewered mounds of purple flowers in mid-summer. However, like many plants that that find an ideal habitat, it thrived and took over. Over time less aggressive plants disappeared and we ended up with a huge colony of Swamp Loosestrife. Even though Swamp Loosestrife is an attractive native plant we are having to cut it back to allow for more diversity in our garden.

Note: I am not referring to Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Purple Loosestrife is a wildly agressive exotic species from Europe that has caused serious trouble in many wetlands. Fortunately that has not been found at the PGT.