Rose campion

Lychnis coronaria

Mediterranean cottage-garden perennial with silvery-grey woolly leaves and tall stems of vivid magenta single flowers through summer. Striking colour against silver foliage.

Hardiness ratings

Rose campion hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H6 −20 °C to −15 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–5 −15 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Plant in sunny cottage-garden borders and gravel gardens — magenta flowers against grey foliage are the defining contrast
  • Edible petals — mildly sweet, used sparingly as salad garnish (taste test first, some find them bitter)
  • Short-lived perennial — allow self-seeding to perpetuate
  • Drought tolerant once established

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Rose campion against your zones

Reference

Rose campion on Wikipedia