Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife / Gewone Kattenstaart)

Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife / Gewone Kattenstaart) is one of the most spectacular native pond-side plants, sending up tall erect spires of vivid magenta-purple flowers from June through August that are magnets for butterflies, bees, and hoverflies. A beloved plant of Dutch and Belgian wetlands, ditches, and pond margins, widely sold in garden centres for wildlife-friendly pond plantings.

Plant in boggy soil or very shallow water at the pond edge. Thrives in full sun. Divide clumps every 2–3 years to maintain vigour. Remove spent flower heads to encourage further blooming or allow to self-seed in a wildlife pond. Fully cold-hardy; dies back in winter and regrows vigorously in spring.