'Rose Campion' or 'Mullein Pink' Caryophyllaceae.
Screaming scarlet red-purplish flowers forming a cloud over silver-white, fuzzy foliage. Flowering stems grow two feet or so tall and grow as wide as three feet. Plant out in groups of five plants, about 10 inches apart for a dramatic effect in dry -- well-drained soils with best flowering on poor (low nitrogen) soils. Self seeds, but not difficult and the foliage is very attractive. I have few plants that are growing in my lawn and when the sun and heat burn off the grass in mid summer the Lychnis still looks good, even after many mowings with the lawn mower. Like most plants with very hairy-fuzzy leaves, this one does not perform its best in wet-humid climates. The color on this selection is a 'Love it - Hate it' type, Its gaudily loud and demanding of attention, and not very subtle- my kinda plant to shock the neighbors on their walk along the side walk.
Zones 3-9. The species is native from northern Africa, southern Europe and the Middle East. Surfaces sow seeds and use F 75, germinatin in 4-10 days. Once seeds start to germinate sprinkle a little seed mix over the top of them.
I am putting this note here for no specific reason: Some times the seeds of the Genus Lychnis can be stubborn about germination, especially if started under cool conditions. If there is no or poor germination in four or five weeks, transplant out any seedlings and allow the pots/trays to dry out completely and store for a few months dry. Then rewet the trays or pots and germination should occur in a few days. The trick is the make sure that the seeds dry out completely, this also works with a few other groups of plants that have seeds that do not germinate.
100 seeds
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