Lychnis
German Catchfly
A relative of Dianthus, the genus name of this low maintenance, easy-to-grow perennial comes from the Greek word lychos, meaning “lamp,” and it is clearly an attempt to describe the light that comes from the splendid-for-cutting flower clusters that can brighten any garden space.
Narrow, almost grasslike, green and often evergreen leaves form neat rosettes, while sticky stems earn the strange common name of “Catchfly.” Tolerant of poor soil and dry conditions, Lychnis captures plenty of attention when placed front and center along a pathway, in a crevice or atop a wall.
This cultivar presents a more refined white-flowering version of Britain’s native wildflower, Ragged Robin, which was wildly popular at the 2017 Chelsea Flower Show. Anchored by opposite, lance-shaped dark-colored greenery, upright, slim, branched deep red stems elevate an elegant loose array of finely fringed 4-segmented blossoms. The star-style pearlescent blooms entice bees and butterflies as well as flower arrangers, while the deer-resistant clump requires a fall cut back to maintain its tidy appearance.
Blooms May–July
Size: 15" – 2' 0" high x 12" – 18" wide.
Hardy to zone 5.
Please fill out our Registration Form to receive news of updates to the web site, availability of new plants, give us your feedback, and to be on the mailing list to receive future printed catalogs.