Purple loosestrife. Sverdlovsk region

The king of Ural herbs is the purple loosestrife "Blush" (Latin: Lythrum salicaria). In folklore, this plant is also called "weeping herb." In the "Book of the Dove," Russian spiritual verses from the XV century, it was written that "the weeping herb is the mother of all herbs."

This plant was endowed with magical and healing powers, and quarreling friends would come to make peace with this flower. Crosses made from purple loosestrife were believed to ward off evil forces and protect from arrows, bullets, and swords. People would hang these crosses above doors and windows to keep evil out and prevent nightmares. The stem of the weeping herb, cut at dawn on the eve of Ivan's Day (summer solstice), was used as a talisman by treasure seekers.

Purple loosestrife was also used to predict the weather. Half an hour before rain, the plant would "start to cry." In reality, this "intelligent" plant sensed moisture in the air and released excess liquid. You can check this phenomenon while strolling in the most famous nature park in the Sverdlovsk region, "Deer Streams."

According to legend, this plant appeared from the tears of the Virgin Mary, shed during Christ's crucifixion, and now it weeps at dawn but simultaneously serves as a powerful amulet. What else but the tears of the Holy Virgin could protect against adversity?

Purple loosestrife "Blush" is one of the most beautiful species used widely in solitary and group plantings in landscape design. The main virtue of this plant is its ability to adapt to any climatic conditions while delighting with its blooms.

This variety, like other perennial species, is an herbaceous plant. It forms large bushes up to 150 cm tall. Given favorable growing conditions, the perennial expands up to 1.5 meters in diameter.

The blooming period for purple loosestrife starts in the second half of June and continues until the end of August. The plant emits a pleasant fragrance and is an excellent honey plant. Purple loosestrife fruits are elongated capsules with seeds that can be used for sowing.