A surprise contender in this heatwave — purple loosestrife proves as resilient as it is striking

I’ve learned something new. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is as tough as old boots, which, given that it’s a native species to the U.K. shouldn’t really surprise me.

But when I see it growing in bone-dry, heavy clay ground, I’m still amazed. The tall flower spikes (you could mistake it for a Verbena) blaze a psychedelic pink in the sunlight and are adored by bees, butterflies and countless other pollinators. And it is still thriving – that’s right; showing no sign of distress in this ongoing heatwave – despite it being a supposed bog plant, a native inhabitant of marshlands, damp meadows and riverbanks. But not here in this garden, and self-seeded too apparently.

So yes, this is definitely one I’ll be investing in for the future …. What’s not to love? Move over hydrangeas, though let’s not mention the losers, hey.