How to Grow Lychnis

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Lychnis bears bright summer flowers often pink or red. Flowers are carried singly on branched stems or in small, rounded clusters.

The Lychnis genus contains about 20 species of biennial and perennials. Lychnis coronaria is an old-fashioned favorite often planted in borders. Other species are suited for rock gardens and containers.

Lychnis bears five-petaled flowers that have tube-shaped baes and flattened faces with petal lobes that are rounded, notched, or sometimes fringed at the tips. Flowers are carried singly on branched stems or in small round clusters.

Red campion flower, Lychnis x haageana — Red campion flower, *Lychnis* x *haageana*

Table of Contents

Get to know Lychnis

Plant type: Perennials and annuals
Growing zones and range: Zones 4 to 8
Hardiness: Hardy to -35°F (-37°C).
Height and width: 12 to 36 inches (30-91cm) tall and wide depending on the variety.
Foliage: Plants have rounded, often hairy leaves.
Flowers: Flowers are carried singly on branched stems or in small, rounded clusters; five-petaled flowers have tube-shaped bases and flattened faces with petal lobes that are rounded, noticed, or sometimes fringed at the tips.
Flower colors: Blue, lavender, white, and pink
Bloom time: Summer
Uses: Borders, cutting; smaller types for rock gardens or raised beds
Common name: Lychnis, catchfly, rose campion
Botanical name: Lychnis
Family name: Caryophyllaceae
Origin: Woodlands in northern temperate regions

Where to plant Lychnis

Plant Lychnis in full sun or partial shade. In hot summer regions, plant Lychnis where it will receive afternoon shade.
Grow Lychnis in average to humus-rich, well-drained soil.

Lychnis uses and companions

Grow large perennials in a sunny border or wild garden, the smaller, alpine species in a rock garden.
Grow annual species in an annual or herbaceous border.
Plant Lychnis in the foreground of cottage gardens and informal borders.
Good garden companions for Lychnis include Armeria, Catananche caerulea, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Oenothera, Verbascum.

Pink rose campion flowers, *Lychnis coronaria*

When to plant Lychnis

Set perennial Lychnis in the garden in spring or autumn. Set annual Lychnis in the garden after the last frost in spring.
Sow seeds outdoors in early spring; in mild-winter regions, sow seed in autumn.
Lychnis is generally short-lived and needs to be replaced every few years.

Planting and spacing Lychnis

Sow seed 1/8 to ¼ inch deep; sow seed indoors in sterile seed starting mix; sow seed outdoors in evenly prepared soil.
Space Lychnis 12 to 24 inches (30-61cm) apart depending on the variety.

How to water and feed Lychnis

Lychnis needs evenly moist soil.
Fertilize Lychnis with an all-purpose fertilizer in spring.

Maltese cross flower, Lychnis chalcedonica — Maltese cross flower, *Lychnis chalcedonica*

Lychnis care

Taller species require staking.
Much around plants with aged compost in hot summer regions to conserve soil moisture.

Lychnis pests and diseases

Slugs and snails may eat the young shoots as they emerge.
Foliage is sometimes susceptible to powdery mildew with L. coronaria being most affected.

Lychnis propagation

Lychnis and be grown from seed or propagated by division.
Lychnis seeds will germinate in 20 to 25 days at 70°F (21°C).
Seeds sown in autumn or early spring will generally flower in their second year.
Divide Lychnis every 2 to 3 years in spring to keep the clump vigorous and for propagation.

German catchfly, Lychnis viscaria — German catchfly, *Lychnis viscaria*

Lychnis varieties to grow

Lychnis alpina, alpine catchfly: Short-lived perennial; rose-purple flowers 1cm across borne in head-like clusters from spring to summer; grows to 6 inches (15cm) tall.
L. x arkwrightii, Ark-Wright’s campion: Scarlet flowers about 1 inch (2.5cm) across; dark-red-flushed foliage.
L. chalcedonica, Jerusalem cross, Maltese cross: Scarlet flowers more than 1 inch (2.5cm) across with cleft petal grows to 36 inches (1m) across.
L. coronaria, Rose campion: Reddish purple flowers more than 1 inch across; gray-felted ovate to lance-shaped leaves; cultivars with white and deep pink flowers.
L. flos-cuculi: Bright pink flowers with deep cut narrow-lobed flowers appear in clusters on lax branches; grow to 24 inches (61m) tall; this variety is well-suited for moist soil and pond margins.
L. flos-jovis: Bold purple to pink or white flowers borne in dense clusters; grows to 18 inches (45cm) tall.
L. x haageana: Scarlet or orange-red flowers about 2 inches (5cm) across carried in clusters; short-lived perennial; grows to 18 inches (45cm) tall; cultivars with red and salmon-pink flowers.
L. viscaria, German catchfly: Clusters of reddish-purple flowers less than 1 inch across; stiff stems; cultivars with white, magenta, and purplish-pink flowers.

Lychnis chalcedonia – Maltese cross

Lychnis chalcedonia is a mid-summer bloomer that bears vivid scarlet flowers in the shape of a maltese cross. Flowers form dense rounded clusters of orange-red, four-petaled flowers. Hairy, dark green, lance-shaped leaves clasp the upright, unbranched stems beneath the flowers, creating the dark foli. Maltese cross lives longer than other members of its genus.

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall; 1 ½ feet wide.
Light: full sun.
Soil and moisture: Average to sandy, well-drained soil; consistent moisture.
Planting and propagation: Plant container-grown plants in spring, spacing 1 ½ feet apart. Divide in spring or fall every three years.
Special care: Deadhead to prolong bloom. Lower leaves brown if soil dries out.
Pests and diseases: Whitefly, rust, and root rot sometimes troublesome.
Climate: Zone 3-9.
Cultivars and similar species: ‘Rauhreif’ white, 2 feet tall; L. c alba-plena, double white, L. x. baageana: scarlet-orange, toothed flowers in loose clusters, 10 inches tall. L. viscaria (German catchfly), grasslike tuft, clusters of 1-inch, notch-petaled magenta flowers with sticky stems; L. var. splendens flore-plena, double magenta; L. v. var. flore-plena ‘Alba’, double white; L splendens flore-plena, double magenta; ‘Fire,’ magenta; ‘Snow,’ white.
Garden use: Plant in drift in hot color borders or add for drama among cool colors.

Lychnis Coronaria – Rose campion

Lychnis Coronaria is an old-fashioned, cottage-garden flower that bears gray leaves and small but brilliant flowers. Gray-green 4-inch-long, oblong leaves from emerge from ground-hugging rosettes. Slender, felt-covered, gray-white stems are branched and topped with open clusters of 1-inch-wide, rounded, eye-catching magenta flowers in late spring and early summer. Lychnis is a biennial or short-lived perennial but self-sows readily to perpetuate itself.

Size: Flower stalks to 3 feet tall; leafy rosettes 6 inches tall, 1 ½ feet wide.
Light: Full to part sun; afternoon shade in hottest areas.
Soil and moisture: Averages to sandy, well-drained soil; moderate moisture. Drought tolerant.
Planting and propagation: Plant bare-root or container-grown plants in spring, spacing 10 inches apart. Shake out seedpods where new plants are desired.
Special care: Reseeds and may become weedy; rogue out or transplant seedings in early spring as desired. Cut off flower stalks after seeds are shed to tidy up plants.
Pests and diseases: Usually pest free.
Climate: Zones 4-8; performs poorly in heart and humidity.
Cultivars and similar species: ‘Abbostswood Rose,’ pink flowers; ‘Angel’s blush,’ white flowers with rose centers; L. c. alba, white flowers; L. flos-jovis (flower-of-Jove), gray woolly leaves, loose balls of rose or pink flowers; L. flos-cuculi (ragged robin); gray-green, grassy leaves, feathery rose or pink flowers.
Garden use: Plant in foreground of cottage gardens and informal borders.