Purple Loosestrife

The color purple has substantial force associated with it. For ages in history, this hue has been the color of royalty. As an expensive dye, purple was only affordable to the elite. It has other connotations, such as religious clothing and decorations around holidays from Mardi Gras to Easter. This color has a special place in pop culture too, “The Color Purple” and “Purple Rain” are movies, plus countless songs.

In the home landscape, purple is a prominent color. Throughout the seasons, we can find various shades in perennials and annuals. Who doesn’t like seeing the hyacinth and crocus in the late winter? And the endless charm of Johnny Jump Ups, the tall purple coneflowers in the summer, and the purple winter creeper covering barren ground in the dead of cold are among the sights of purple’s majesty.

There is one purple threat though, Lythrum salicaria, or purple loosestrife. This invasive plant is an aggressive danger to wetlands. It replaces valuable native plants eliminating food and shelter for wildlife and can choke water ways. It offers no value to wildlife as it throttles the hiding and nesting areas of native species. Purple loosestrife can be found in all major watersheds in Pennsylvania and about half of the wetlands.
Compounding this dilemma, over the years some home owners have planted purple loosestrife in their gardens, attracted to its beauty and stature. Purple loosestrife can generate one million seeds in just one year. Plus it can grow from broken pieces left in moist areas and its underground root system.

To compound this purple threat, there are no native controls to hamper its spread. Purple loosestrife was introduced here from Europe in the 1800’s. As a result, all natural enemies, pests and diseases were left behind. An active part of controlling this noxious plant is active gardeners. As scouts and managers, they can be on the front line of defense. The Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County are holding a workshop on purple loosestrife highlighting this struggle in Northeast Pa. It will be held Monday May 10th from 7:30 – 8:30 pm at the Moscow Borough Building, 124 Van Brunt St. Moscow. For more information on this or any other home horticulture topic, please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners at (570) 963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu


Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
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