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Caryophyllaceae
Rose Campion
Lychnis coronaria
Boldness and living with passionate intensity.
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Lychnis
- Native to
- southeastern Europe, Asia Minor
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- biennial or short-lived perennial
- Height
- 60–90 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, poor to average
- Water
- low; drought-tolerant
- Hardiness
- 3–8
- Lifespan
- biennial; self-sows freely
Did you know
- The entire plant is covered in soft silvery-white felt-like hairs, creating a dramatic contrast with the hot magenta flowers.
- The genus name Lychnis comes from the Greek for 'lamp' — the woolly leaves were once used as candle wicks.
- It thrives in poor, dry soil where most plants struggle, making it a champion of neglected gardens.
- Self-sowing seedlings pop up in gravel paths, stone walls, and cracks — always finding the driest spots.
- The white-flowered form 'Alba' is equally popular and gives a softer, moonlit garden effect.
Color meanings
Magenta
bold passion
White
serene simplicity