Alphabetical Plant Listing

Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross)

Maltese Cross, Jerusalem Cross, Common Rose Campion, Constantinople Campion, Cross of Jerusalem, Fireball, Flower of Bristow, Flower of Constantinople, Gardener's Delight, Gardener's Eye, Great Candlestick, Knight's Cross, London Pride, Meadow Campion, Red Robin, Scarlet Lightning, Scarlet Lychnis, Tears of Christ


A long time favorite of gardeners, Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross) is a herbaceous perennial that deserves a spot in the sunny landscape. Very attractive with its upright clump of lush bright green foliage topped by large, densely packed, round clusters of brillIant scarlet flowers, it enjoys a long season of interest, is easy to grow, trouble free, reliable, long-lived and adds bold splashes of color where needed. In short, the perfect perennial!

  • Grown for its decorative and abundant 4 in. flowerheads (10 cm) from early to late summer, Maltese Cross thrives in full sun or part shade and enjoys moist, fertilewell-drained soils. May require support in windy situations. Some drought tolerance.
  • Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm). Will self sow.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural society, this plant is an excellent choice for cottage gardens, coastal gardenswild gardens, meadows and the perennial border where it provides bold splashes of color. Excellent for cutting too!
  • Low maintenance and highly disease-free, this plant is also deer and rabbit resistant while it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds!
  • Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in spring. Propagate by division or basal cuttings in early spring.
  • Deadhead to encourage flowering then cut down in the fall.
  • Native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and arrived in Western Europe in the Middle Ages.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lychnis - Campions
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm)
Spread 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

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Botanik Foto

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lychnis - Campions
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm)
Spread 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Lychnis - Campions

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