Growing Old Fashioned
Rose Campion
By Brenda Hyde
An heirloom garden treasure worth growing in our
gardens is Lychnis coronaria, also known as mullein pink,
rose campion, gardener's delight and bloody William. It's
a stunning combination of magenta blooms with a soft
silverish foliage.
Rose campion, which is the most used
name, is considered a short-lived perennial that will grow
well in Zones 3 to 9 in a sunny or lightly shaded location.
It's been cultivated since the 1300's, possibly earlier. In
Catholic literature it is referred to as "Our Lady's Rose",
possibly because of the heart shaped petals.
Rose campion grows from 2 to 3 foot tall and the foliage is
a greenish silver color and fuzzy like lamb's ears. It will
do best in a moister, fertile but well-drained area though
it is drought tolerant and will grow in drier soils. After the
first set of blooms cut it back and you should get a second
set. The plants reseed easily, so if you don't want extra do
not let it set seed, or just allow a few to go to seed.
As I
mentioned, it's considered a short-lived perennial, and is
often called biennial as well. Actually the plants often live
for quite awhile, and if you allow it to reseed you will have
more when you need them. Extra, unwanted seedlings pull
up easily. Starting plants from seed is easy to and they can
be planted out in very early spring as soon as the ground
can be worked. If you live in a very warm climate it helps
to chill them for a few weeks before sowing the seeds.
Rose campion can be used as a cut flower if you harvest
the stems when just one or two of the flowers are open.
They will last about a week in a vase. There striking color
and pretty foliage make them a lovely flower in borders or
herb gardens.
There are other varieties of lychnis that can grown. German
catchfly, Lychnis viscaria 'splendens-plena', blooms in June
and grows about 18 inches tall. It has double blooms in pink
and the foliage is more grasslike. It isn't quite a hardy and is
best planted where it will be sheltered from harsh winds. Mulch
if the snow is not heavy. The stems are sticky, which is why
it's commonly called catchfly.
Maltese cross, Lychnis chalcedonica, is another variety that
has been in cultivation for centuries. It is a native of Russia
that grows to about 3 foot tall in sun or shade. The flowers are
red and are grouped into heads when they bloom in July. They
can be invasive if not watched and controlled. They are said to
have been brought to Europe by the Knights of Malta during
The Crusades, hence the name.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is an avid gardener, freelance writer and
editor living in the Midwest with her husband and three
children.
Flower Seed Resources:
-Thompson&Morgan Seeds
-Nature Hills Nursery
-Park Seed
-Monticello Garden Shop
