Ive had Lythrum in my garden for 25 years and it hasn spread to other locations in my yard or to my neighbors yard. Why should I get rid of it now?
For many years garden loosestrife cultivars were considered to be sterile and safe for garden use. Studies have now shown this to be false. Unfortunately, purple loosestrife has become popular among horticulturalists, who enjoy the beauty of this hardy perennial. Conflict has arisen between environmentalists and the horticultural community as a result. Many gardeners still believe that their loosestrife is sterile, especially since the damage that it causes may not be noticeable in the immediate vicinity of the home. There are several benefits to removing garden varieties of loosestrife. First, a potential source of pollen exchange is removed from the environment which can decrease the number of plants that become fertilized and set seed, preventing existing plants from spreading to new areas. Most loosestrife infestations originate from garden cultivars. Removing all loosestrife plants can prevent future outbreaks, as well as reducing the potential for cross-fertilization. In addition
