Lychnis coronaria aka Rose Campion

Description

A beloved old plant once called Mullein Pink and Lamp Flower, as the felted leaves once were used in the making of wicks. Its brilliant magenta colouring is electric in combination with the silver-gray leaves on branching stems. An easy to grow, long-blooming and low maintenance short-lived perennial or biennial. Most plants do not survive harsh winters after flowering but it does readily self seed to perpetuate a planting. Despite its short life span, it is certainly worth growing.

Rose Campion performs nicely as an addition to areas that generally receive little attention, as it is drought tolerant and overall low-maintenance. looking its very best when planted in groupings. Great for borders. If flower stems are cut back after bloom, the foliage will serve as an interesting ground cover (in somewhat the same manner as stachys (lambs ears)) for the remainder of the growing season.

Low Water Use,  Drought tolerant once established. When to Cut: Halfway-opened flowers

Fun Fact : The genus name Lychnis likely refers to the use of a woolly species of this plant used for wicks in ancient times; the term is derived from the Green word lychnos, which means lamp

Perennial to biennial Zone: 4-8, Size 2.5′ h x 1′ w,  Full sun to partial shade, Soil: Regular, moist, well-drained, Season: Summer, Depth: Surface sow and press in lightly; requires light to germinate.Sprout Time: 7-21 days, Starting Indoors: Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost.  Starting Outdoors: Direct sow spring to summer.

75+ seeds PERENNIAL although sometimes act as biennials, will self seed