To Be Let Loose on Loosestrife

This beauty is Purple Loosestrife. The bees, wasps and butterflies were having a field day with it in the warm midday weather.

I can do no more than quote from the book "Plants and Beekeeping" by F.N. Howes published in 1945:-

"The purple loosestrife is one of the most handsome of British wild plants and it is to be seen in all parts of the country, especially where soil conditions are moist as on the edges of pools, streams and ditches. In such situations it often forms a vivid patch of colour in the landscape. It is two to four feet in height with flowering spikes about a foot long bearing rich purple-red flowers from June to August. Purple Loosestrife is a good bee plant and supplies nectar and pollen in quantity. Unfortunately it is seldom sufficiently abundant for "surplus" in Britain but the honey is said to be dark with a strong flavour"

So there you have it.