Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross)
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.
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, fertile, well-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 gardens, wild 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.
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 |