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Genus Lysimachia (Loosestrife)

Lysimachia Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner
lye-sih-MAK-ee-ah Common Name: Loosestrife
The genus Lysimachia includes about 150 species of herbaceous and evergreen perennials and shrubs, mainly growing in damp grassland and woodland or near water in subtropical regions. Leaf shapes may vary, but leaves are often hairy. The 5-petaled flowers can be shaped liked stars, saucers, or cups, and are most often white or yellow, and sometimes pink and purple.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Larger species can be used in a moist border, bog garden, or on the edge of a pond, or for naturalizing in a wild or woodland setting. Smaller, low-growing species make good groundcovers.
 Care: Needs moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer and lots of organic matter. Full sun or partial shade.
 Propagation: Sow seed in containers outdoors in spring, or divide in spring or fall.
 Problems: Rust and leaf spot can occur. Some species may be invasive.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Lysimachia

Lysimachia ciliata 'Firecracker' Lysimachia ciliata 'Firecracker'
(Hairy loosestrife) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Hairy loosestrife has dark burgundy- to chocolate-colored foliage that spreads to form large clumps but is generally not invasive. In midsummer, clusters of small yellow star-shaped flowers contrast with the leaves. It grows to 4 feet high and 2 feet wide and is good in a moist border, at a pond margin, or in a wild garden.
Lysimachia clethroides Lysimachia clethroides
(Gooseneck loosestrife) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This vigorous grower has attractive, smooth, narrowly oval pointed leaves are mid-green above, pale green beneath. Tiny saucer-shaped white blossoms are produced in dense, tapered terminal spikes, 4 to 8 inches long, that curve gracefully over and down, from July to September. Leaves turn to rich gold in autumn.
Lysimachia congestiflora 'Persian Chocolate' Lysimachia congestiflora 'Persian Chocolate'
('Persian Chocolate' moneywort) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A mass of small purple leaves and abundant golden yellow, bell-shaped flowers distinguish this groundcover. It is useful on slopes as well as in containers.
Lysimachia ephemerum Lysimachia ephemerum
(Loosestrife, Silver loosestrife) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This herbaceous perennial forms clumps of gray-green leaves from which arise slender racemes of small white flowers with mauve-colored veins, making for an almost gray appearance. It makes an interesting cut flower, and the plant is not invasive like other loosestrifes.
Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’
(Golden creeping Jenny, Moneywort) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Golden creeping Jenny is a  low-growing, rampant, evergreen groundcover with rounded, golden yellow leaves. In summer, it produces many cup-shaped, bright yellow flowers.