Lythrum virgatum 'Morden's Gleam'
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum virgatum ‘Morden’s Gleam’ (Morden’s Gleam Loosestrife) is an upright, clump-forming perennial with narrow green foliage and tall spikes of rosy-pink to magenta flowers that bloom through summer. It is valued for its long flower display, vertical accent, and performance in moist soils and waterside plantings. Reported mature size is typically about 2–5' tall and 1–3' wide, depending on source and growing conditions.
Type: Perennial
Mature Size: 24–36" W × 36–60" H
USDA Zones: 4a–9b
Form: Upright, clump-forming
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Moist to wet, well-drained soils; moderate to high water, prefers consistent moisture
Bloom Time / Length: Summer; long-lasting (often 6–8+ weeks)
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies
Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for rain gardens, pond or stream edges, moist borders, and naturalistic plantings. The long flower spikes provide strong vertical color and a meadow-like look in summer.
Care:
Grow in full sun for best flowering and keep soil evenly moist. Cut back after bloom if desired to tidy the plant. One caution: although cultivars like ‘Morden’s Gleam’ have often been sold as sterile or non-invasive, reputable references note they can cross with other loosestrifes and produce viable seed, so use caution near natural wetland areas.
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Height
- 36-60"
- Width
- 24-36''
- Hardiness zones
- 4–9
- Sunlight
- Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Bloom time
- Summer
- Flower color
- Rose
- Leaf color
- Green
- Fall color
- Green
- Attracts
- Butterflies, Hummingbirds
- Soil
- Moist well-drained, Wet Area
- Landscape use
- Border, Mass Planting, Moist Border
- Shape
- Clumping, Upright
- Fruit
- Yes
- Fragrant
- Yes
- Drought tolerant
- No