Silene chalcedonica

Also Known As

Lychnis chalcedonica
Maltese Cross

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 3'
W: 1'

planting zones

3a-10b

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Silene chalcedonica plant details

Silene chalcedonica is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring and summer red flowers emerge. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and high - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Silene chalcedonica

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: caryophyllaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 1 FT wide, 3 FT tall
Flowers: red blooms in spring and summer
Uses: border plant, cottage garden, cutting garden, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Silene chalcedonica

USDA Zones: 3a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: high - regular

Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Each year this old-fashioned perennial blooms in our Hot Bed and each year we get asked about it countless times. I had felt it too old-fashioned to carry but as they say "what's old is new again!" Maltese cross has tall strong stems to three to four feet and mid green foliage. The fiery red star-shaped flowers are held in tight domed clusters.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A clumping, evergreen perennial. Rosettes of bright green, lance shaped leaves are produced in tight clumps. From the centre of each rosette arises, during Summer, a tall, slender, branched stem topped with dense heads of saturated scarlet, star shaped flowers. Provide with plenty of moisture if grown in the Sun.

By: Zephs

This gorgeous survivor has acquired many names such as London Pride, Scarlet Mountain Lychnis, and Jerusalem Cross over its 400+ years in cultivation. An early broadsheet of seeds in America lists it in 1803, and it was planted in Jefferson's garden at Monticello soon after. The intense flame colored flowers look great with blue Canterbury bells and sundrops. Now sought after in hot-colored planting schemes.

By: Select Seeds

Cultivated since the Middle Ages this favorite cottage garden perennial grows 3’ high & bears bright scarlet 4” wide flowers in dense clusters a top long stems. Looks great next to white flowers & gray foliage. Good cut flower! Fertile soil. Easy!