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Fringed Loosestrife

Lysimachia ciliata

Also listed as Steironema ciliatum, Nummularia ciliata

Also known as Ciliate Loosestrife, Fringed Yellow Loosestrife

herbaceousβ›… part shadeπŸ’§πŸ’§πŸ’§ high water❄ Hardy: Zone 3a – Zone 8b

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Fringed loosestrife is a native perennial with slender upright stems and small yellow star-shaped flowers accented by fringed petals. It thrives in moist woodland settings and spreads gradually to form attractive colonies.

Why grow it

Fringed loosestrife offers a native alternative to non-native loosestrife species for moist woodland gardens, with the advantage of modest, measured spread rather than aggressive colonization. Its delicate fringed flowers and vertical growth habit provide textural interest in shade to part-shade settings where many showy perennials struggle. The species tolerates seasonal wet conditions and performs well in rain gardens or low-lying areas without requiring supplemental feeding or aggressive management.

Watch out for

In consistently wet soils or high-humidity conditions, powdery mildew can develop on foliage, particularly if air circulation is poor. The plant's spreading tendency, while gradual, may require occasional division or removal to prevent it from overtaking slower-growing companions in confined spaces. Performance declines noticeably in dry conditions or full sun, so site selection matters more than most perennials to avoid persistent stress and reduced flowering.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
1.5–3β€² tall Γ— 1–2β€² wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Family
Primulaceae
Pollinators & beneficial insects

Native to the United States

Native Range

Eastern North America

Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

Summer

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Companion Planting

Plants well with