Lychnis chalcedonica
(Maltese Cross )
Family - Caryophyllaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Eastern Russia
Season of Interest - Summer
Hardiness - H7
Height - up to 1.2m
Width - 30cm or more
Location - The Wedding Ring Border
Description: Clump-forming herbaceous Perennial with mid to dark green leaves that are ovate to oval in shape. Vivid red, star-shaped flowers are produced in Corymbs in early to midsummer. Each flower has five petals, each petal is notched at the tips. The common name is in reference to the shape of the flowers. Lychnis chalcedonica is believed to have been introduced into Europe during the Crusades.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Additional common name - Jerusalem Cross
Flower:
Corymbs of vivid red, star-shaped flowers have notched petals. Flowers are produced at the tips of tall, upright stems in June and July.
Flower colour: Red
Flower shape: Star-shaped flowers in corymbs
Flowering time: June, July
Foliage:
Mid to dark green leaves are ovate to oval in shape and held in opposite pairs up the stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Ovate to oval
Propagation:
Division, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive, but well drained soil.