Lychnis coronaria
(Rose Campion)
Family - Caryophyllaceae
Category - Biennial, short-lived perennial
Origin - Southern Europe
Year of Introduction - 1596
Season of Interest - Summer
Hardiness - H7
Height - 90cm
Width - 45cm
Location - The Terrace
Description: Clump-forming Perennial with grey-green, soft woolly foliage. Luminous magenta, salverform flowers are produced in Cymes from mid to late summer. Another common name for Lychnis Coronaria is 'Lamp Flower' which is in reference to the fact that historically, parts of the foliage were used to make wicks for candles.
Lychnis Coronaria is a short-lived Perennial that is often used as a Biennial and self-sows well.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Additional common names include - Lamp Flower, Dusty Miller
Synonym - Agrostemma Coronaria
Flower:
Luminous magenta flowers are salverform in shape and held in cymes. Flowers are produced from July into August.
Flower colour: Magenta
Flower shape: Salverform flowers in cymes
Flowering time: July, August
Foliage:
Soft, woolly, grey-green leaves are oblong to lanceolate in shape and are mostly held at the base of the plant. Smaller leaves are held in opposite pairs up the stems.
Foliage Senescence: Semi-evergreen
Foliage Shape: Oblong to lanceolate
Propagation:
Basal cuttings, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in well drained soil. Avoid excessive winter wet where possible.