Description
Lychnis – Viscaria – Campion – Catchfly –
There are about 20 species of biennials and perennials in this genus. They occur in sites ranging from damp meadows and woodland to alpine habitats, in Northern Temperate and arctic regions. They have erect, usually branched stems, and simple, often hairy leaves held in opposite pairs. The flat, 5 petalled, salverform to tubular or star shaped flowers occur in scarlet, purple, pink, or white, and are either solitary or held in terminal cymes or occasionally panicles. The petals are notched or deeply forked. Grow the larger perennials in a sunny border or wild garden, the smaller, alpine species in a rock garden, the biennials in an annual or herbaceous border.
Grow in any moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Deadhead frequently to prolong flowering. Divide in early spring.
Prone to anther smut and leaf spots.
L. chalcedonica – Jerusalem Cross – Maltese Cross – This erect, stiff perennial from Eastern Europe grows 3-4′ feet tall and 12″ wide. It produces ovate, mid green basal leaves, and unbranched, hairy stems bearing clasping, ovate leaves, 2-3″ long, with heart shaped bases. In early and mid summer it bears terminal, rounded, umbel like cymes of 10-30 star shaped scarlet flowers, ½” across, the petal each with 2 deep notches. Requires support. Self seed freely and prefers moist soil.
Zones 3-8
