Lysimachia punctata 'HOMETOWN HERO'

When I was very young, still a gardening amateur, I used to be fascinated by a profusion of strong stems with vivid yellow flowers in early July, growing almost everywhere in small country gardens. They looked as if untouched and grew in neglected areas. Until one day when I was told that this pretty thing is nice when cared for, but once neglected, it may become invasive and spread just everywhere it likes. That explained its occurrence but did not put me off from wanting it.

Hometown Hero is a great name for a great variety of yellow loosestrife. It sounds so bold and brave, doesn’t it? Well, this tough perennial is surely fearless and bold as it spreads without a prior notice in order to conquer about a square meter around itself. It is an attractive perennial producing shorter stems and denser and more compact habit as opposed to the species. Its erect stems are commonly 40-50 cm tall, bearing vivid yellow flowers from early June. Leaves are elliptic to lanceolate, mid green and appear all the way up to the top.

Yellow loosestrife is soil tolerant as far as pH. It prefers fertile, moist soil and withstands temporary waterlogging, rather than drought so heavy clay is not a problem. Grow it in full sun or part shade. Just remember that it makes vigorous runners which spread all around in neglected areas. It is fully hardy to approx. -34 °C (USD zone 4) and can be cultivated in outdoor pots with good watering during the flowering season and in hot summers.

Last update 03-07-2023