Lythrum salicaria, commonly known as purple loosestrife, is a perennial not only native to Australia but also spread throughout Europe, Asia and North America. It is an easy growing plant that will be happy in a wide range of soils. It thrives in wet, boggy soils, but is also remarkably drought tolerant and does well in coastal gardens. In very moist soils it can reach a height of around 2 metres tall, but around 1 to 1.5m tall in driers spots. Producing masses of vibrant purple flower spikes in mid to late-Summer. Forming bushy well shaped clumps the foliage turns red leading into winter. A great plant used extensively throughout new modern perennial plantings by Piet Oudolf amongst others.