This attractive herbaceous perennial is flowering on the Systematic Beds.
A native of south east Europe and western Asia Lysimachia atropurpurea, or purple loosestrife, bears bowed terminal spikes of burgundy flowers from late spring through summer. While it will grow in an open position it flourishes in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. The opposite, lanceolate leaves are silver-green in colour and have wavy margins. One of 150 species, the genus Lysimachia belongs to the primrose family (Primulaceae). Flowers of Lysimachia are five-petalled, and may be star-, cup- or saucer-shaped, and ranging in colour from purple and pink through to yellow and white. The genus takes its name from the Macedonian King of Thrace, King Lysimachos (661-281 B.C.), who Pliny also considered to have discovered the genus.