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Lysimachia loeflingii

blue scarlet pimpernel

Primulaceae Mediterranean and western Europe

WaterLow

Overview

Lysimachia loeflingii is a small sprawling annual herb growing 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long, with weak, square stems that trail along the ground or lean on other plants. The leaves are opposite, oval to lance-shaped, 0.4-0.8 inches (10-20 mm) long, stalkless, and dotted beneath with tiny dark glands. Solitary five-petalled flowers about 0.3-0.5 inches (8-12 mm) across open on slender stalks from the leaf axils, deep blue with a reddish centre, and close in dull or cool weather. Flowering runs through spring and into summer, followed by small round capsules that split around the middle to shed many seeds. The plant completes its life cycle in one season and dies after seeding. It grows quickly on disturbed and cultivated ground and is widely treated as a weed of crops and gardens.

Native Range

Native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe, and widely naturalised in temperate Australia and other regions. Grows on cultivated land, roadsides, gardens, and other disturbed open ground on a range of soils.

Suggested Uses

Rarely grown on purpose, it appears mostly as a weed of cultivated and disturbed ground. Where it is wanted, the blue flowers add low colour to informal and wildflower-style plots on open soil. It has little role in formal garden planting because of its sprawling, short-lived habit and weedy spread.

How to Identify

Identified by weak, square, sprawling stems and opposite stalkless leaves dotted with dark glands beneath. The solitary deep blue flowers 0.3-0.5 inches (8-12 mm) across on thin axillary stalks separate it from the scarlet-flowered pimpernel, with which it shares its habit. The round capsule that splits around the middle, shedding seeds from a lidded cup, is a further marker.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 6"

Width/Spread8" - 1'4"

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers through spring and into summer, mainly September to January in temperate areas. The flowers open in sun and close in dull, cool, or wet weather, so few are seen on overcast days. A plant flowers and sets seed continuously over many weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

deep blue with reddish centre

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on most soils, favouring disturbed, cultivated, and open ground. It germinates after rain and needs no care, completing its cycle on natural rainfall in temperate climates. Self-seeding is heavy, and volunteer seedlings appear in following seasons unless plants are removed before seed sets. The species is treated as a weed in crops, lawns, and gardens, where it competes with seedlings. The plant contains saponins and is reported toxic to grazing animals if eaten in quantity, and it dies back naturally after seeding.

Pruning

Pruning is not practised on this short-lived annual. Plants may be pulled or hoed before flowering to limit seeding, since removal after seed set does little to reduce spread. Whole plants die off once seeding is complete.