Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides): Beautiful but Aggressive

Those graceful, arching white flower spikes identify gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides). It's undeniably pretty—but in favorable conditions, it spreads aggressively by rhizomes, forming dense colonies that crowd out neighbors.

Should You Keep It?

• Yes, if: Confined by hardscape (sidewalk, driveway), in a dedicated bed with deep edging, or in a container sunk in the ground.
• No, if: Planted in open borders, near woodlands, or where you value plant diversity.

Control Options

• Digging: Remove every rhizome fragment; monitor for years.
• Herbicide: Glyphosate on actively growing foliage (multiple applications).
• Containment: Install 18-inch-deep root barrier at planting.

Better Alternatives for White Spikes

• Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's root) – native, clumping.
• Persicaria polymorpha – large, architectural, well-behaved.
• Astilbe cultivars – shade-tolerant, non-spreading.

Read the reviews on Dave's Garden before planting. Many gardeners regret introducing it.