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May 16, 2015 8:44 PM CST
Thread OP
Indianapolis (Zone 5b)
I was wondering about your thoughts on Gooseneck Loosestrife? Do you like it or are opposed? I know it can be rather invasive but I really love this plant. The picture I posted is from my old residence. This picture is the result of planting 3 plants (yes just three) and this is what it turned into 3 years later. I just received more from my sister today for my new house. I can't wait to see how they perform here.
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May 17, 2015 8:11 PM CST
Name: Jason
Gold Bar, Washington (Zone 8b)
ive found that most varieties of loosestrife are rather invasive. we had three varieties in our sun beds, two of them have been removed due to their spreading.
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May 18, 2015 7:10 AM CST
Name: Arlene
Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Region: Ukraine Dahlias I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Houseplants Tomato Heads Garden Ideas: Level 1
Plant Identifier Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015
They need strong boundaries and, even then, those underground runners will find a way to escape. I do have to attack and remove escapees twice a year. Those that go to the lawn get trimmed by weed whackers or simply mowed down.
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Avatar for Frillylily
May 18, 2015 7:21 AM CST
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
I have a purple loosestrife, and I have never had any seeds sprout, it has never came up by runners or anything-not invasive at all. It blooms like crazy all summer. I wonder if it is something different and not the same kind as the white. I don't think the foliage looks quite the same. ? I don't notice any fragrance on it either. It does grow really fast and fill in, but not invasive. I notice the butterflies like it.
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May 18, 2015 8:47 AM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Purple loosestrife is a noxious weed in Alberta under a government ban.
It has been irradicated along the Bow river, by great effort, because it invades wet lands,
and destroys the natural plants which are used by critters.
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May 18, 2015 8:50 AM CST
Name: Arlene
Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Region: Ukraine Dahlias I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Houseplants Tomato Heads Garden Ideas: Level 1
Plant Identifier Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Good point!
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May 18, 2015 8:52 AM CST
Name: Kyla Houbolt
Gastonia, NC (Zone 7b)
Composter Plant Identifier Organic Gardener Herbs Daylilies Sempervivums
Frogs and Toads Container Gardener Cat Lover Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! The WITWIT Badge Winter Sowing
Important information to know! Invasive in one area, though, doesn't mean it's invasive, or a noxious issue, elsewhere. I am convinced every plant has a good place to be, though it may not be in your yard or mine! Green Grin!
Avatar for Shadegardener
May 18, 2015 8:57 AM CST
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
I'd certainly think twice about planting any loosestrife. I planted the gooseneck years ago and it has traveled under gravel paths, through pachysandra. Wish I had known better at planting time. It is illegal in IN to buy, sell or plant the purple loosestrife and, reportedly, even sterile varieties can produce viable seed. It spreads by seed or rhizome.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
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May 18, 2015 9:49 AM CST
Name: Arlene
Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Region: Ukraine Dahlias I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Houseplants Tomato Heads Garden Ideas: Level 1
Plant Identifier Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015
It also can reappear the following year though we gardeners are certain we removed every trace of it.

You're right, Kyla!
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May 18, 2015 9:51 AM CST
Name: Kyla Houbolt
Gastonia, NC (Zone 7b)
Composter Plant Identifier Organic Gardener Herbs Daylilies Sempervivums
Frogs and Toads Container Gardener Cat Lover Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! The WITWIT Badge Winter Sowing
Green Grin! So when I am laboring to eradicate a plant, I mentally send it where it belongs. Whistling Hilarious! Which is always somewhere!

I'm glad to learn about loosestrife; it's not one I'd heard of as being a problem but I bet it is so here as well and now I'll check if I'm ever given any or get the notion....
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May 18, 2015 9:53 AM CST
Name: Arlene
Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Region: Ukraine Dahlias I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Houseplants Tomato Heads Garden Ideas: Level 1
Plant Identifier Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015
I spotted two more escapees yesterday. They will meet their fate today.
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May 22, 2015 4:16 PM CST
Thread OP
Indianapolis (Zone 5b)
At my old residence they grew and spread extremely fast. I had no problem controlling them in the yard as I just mowed over them. I really love this plant and I think I am in the minority, but I love the bees and butterflies it attracts. I just bought some Beebalm (jacob cline) to plant with them. I think the intense red of the beebalm and the white of the loosestrife should make a striking display!
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May 22, 2015 6:44 PM CST
Name: Arlene
Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Region: Ukraine Dahlias I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Houseplants Tomato Heads Garden Ideas: Level 1
Plant Identifier Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Now you've given me an idea. I just bought Jacob Cline in the last week and I just might put mine in with the gooseneck and let them fight it out! Thanks, Shade.
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May 23, 2015 7:24 PM CST
(Zone 6a)
You'll be sorry you planted it.
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May 23, 2015 7:56 PM CST
Name: Arlene
Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Region: Ukraine Dahlias I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Houseplants Tomato Heads Garden Ideas: Level 1
Plant Identifier Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Celene - would it be better if I planted it in a double nursery pot?
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May 24, 2015 6:16 AM CST
Name: Jennifer
48036 MI (Zone 6b)
Cottage Gardener Houseplants Spiders! Heucheras Frogs and Toads Dahlias
Hummingbirder Sedums Winter Sowing Peonies Region: Michigan Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Purple loosestrife is a very serious problem here in Michigan. I takes over whole areas and destroys all other native vegetation.

I once almost bought Gooseneck loosestrife. But luckily a savy person told me how invasive it is and saved me a huge headache!
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May 24, 2015 3:30 PM CST
Thread OP
Indianapolis (Zone 5b)
Gooseneck loosestrife is aggressive but its very manageable. Just mow them with a lawnmower and voila...they are in control (at least that has been my experience). They also attract butterflies and bees. If you want a flower garden where every plant is cordoned off from the other flowers within the same bed, then I can see more work involved as you would have to manually remove them. I have to say I know I am in the minority here but I have grown to love gooseneck loosestrife. Smiling Here is an awesome picture I found of gooseneck and beebalm together.
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Last edited by Shade May 24, 2015 3:32 PM Icon for preview
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May 24, 2015 6:56 PM CST
Name: Arlene
Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Region: Ukraine Dahlias I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Houseplants Tomato Heads Garden Ideas: Level 1
Plant Identifier Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015
So gorgeous!
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May 24, 2015 10:07 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Shade said:Gooseneck loosestrife is aggressive but its very manageable. Just mow them with a lawnmower and voila...they are in control


I guess the question here is what happens if you move and those plants are left to their own devices? Confused
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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May 25, 2015 3:40 PM CST
Thread OP
Indianapolis (Zone 5b)
If you move them with the intent of leaving them to their own devices then there would be no problem....your leaving them to their own devices. If you "leave them to their own devices" then I am assuming you mean you are planting them somewhere out on their own. If you do this in a flower bed with other plants then yes you will have to keep up with them. Remember, no plant is the dominate species at all times...succession eventually wins out. I guess I am a loosestrife fan. Smiling
Last edited by Shade May 25, 2015 4:16 PM Icon for preview

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