This is one of the garden thugs I would not be without! When the flowering spikes emerge in the summer, shaped like a gooseneck and all covered with small white flowers, I fall in love with it all over again. It is a wonderful, playful, whimsical plant that I adore and its rambunctious behavior amuses rather than annoys me. I do have to set limits for it because it wants to wander every where and it is so pretty in mass as well as individually it is hard to retrain it. But like a naughty child, it is easily corrected and set on a more civilized path with a few tugs whenever I see it coming up somewhere it shouldn’t. It is very easy to grow, stands up without supports, and looks charming planted en masse as a flock. In the fall, gooseneck loosestrife will reward you for your patience with good red and yellow color.
Type: Herbaceous perennial.
Bloom: Small white flowers are borne on gooseneck shaped stems tips in mid summer.
Size: 3’ H x 3” W.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Thrives in average to humusy, moist soil.
Hardiness: Zones 3-9.
Care: Deadhead to prolong bloom.
Pests and Diseases: None of importance.
Propagation: Division in spring or fall.
Companion plants: Gayfeather (Liatris spp.), New England Aster such as “Alma Potschke’, bee balm (Monarda spp.), common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale).
{ 4 comments }
I was curious if you thought this particular plant would be a good ground cover for a barren area in my yard that I’m trying to make into an outdoor entertainment area. It would be divided from the chimnea, benches, and adirondacks by a small granite stone culvert (runoff from a gutter). Also there are five white oaks that make the border of this area, and I have about a 50 plant, monkey grass border surrounding the area. Will the Gooseneck try and get throught the monkey grass? Will it attack tree roots? I’ve heard awful things about it, but I like the tales of its resilience. Thanks for any advice you can give.
KGC
KGC,
The goosenect loosestrife spreads by underground rhizomes and would probably get into the monkey grass. I doubt it would hurt the trees in anyway. Although it spreads quickly it is very easy to pull out (but difficult to eliminate entirely.) Also, if the conditions are not ideal it will not be as vigorous as if conditions are less than ideal.
Karen
Karen,
I just planted Gooseneck this spring for the first time. (A friend gave it to me with warning) I love it. How do I prepare it for the winter? Do I cut it back and mulch? I live in upstate NY on Lake Ontario.
Melody,
I cut mine back and forget about it until spring but I live in a warmer climate. It is hardy to zone 3 but if you have to mulch other plants like phlox, I would mulch this too.
Karen
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