Lychnis
Common name: Rose Campion
Overview:
Lychnis coronaria is a native of SE Europe is a short lived hardy perennial that grows to around 600-750mm (24"-30") high and spreads to around 500mm (18").
It is a useful plant for areas with poor quality soil.
This attribute also makes it useful in a wild garden situation.
The Purple to purple-red or white round flowers on long stalks appear in July and September
The long stems and its soft to touch silvery-grey, woolly leaves make it perfect as a cut flower.
Dead head plants regularly to prevent self seeding.
In exposed areas the plants may require support with twiggy sticks or similar.
Cultivation:
Week 8:
Sow seeds in pots/trays of seed compost and germinate at 16°- 18°C (60°-65°F).
Seeds should take around 6-7 days to germinate.
Week 10:
Prick off the seedlings, when large enough to handle into 3” (75m) pots and grow on until planting out time.
Week 13:
Apply a mulch of well rotted manure/compost each year.
Week 18:
Take basal cuttings from established plants, and place in a cold frame until planting out time the following May.
Week 21:
Top dress planting area with a balanced fertiliser prior to planting out seedlings/cuttings 300-400mm (12"-16") apart.
They prefer full sun or a lightly shaded area, where the soil is humus rich, and well drained.
Week 35:
Collect and sow ripe seeds and sow immediatly in pots/trays of seed compost and germinate at 16°- 18°C (60°-65°F).
Lift and replant any self seeded plantlets if required.
Week 44:
Cut dead stem to ground level in late autumn.