Lychnis flos-cuculi
| Lychnis flos-cuculi | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Fall |
| Meadows Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lychnis flos-cuculi (common name: ragged robin)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
The seed can also be sown in situ in spring or early autumn though this requires more seed.
Division in spring or autumn[1]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil so long as it is moist, and also doing well in a bog garden[2]. It prefers a sunny position[3].
Plants succeed in damp woodlands or damp meadows[1].
At least one named form has been selected for its ornamental value[4].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east Spain, Siberia and the Caucasus.
Habitat: Damp meadows, marshes, fens and wet woods, avoiding acid soils[5].
Usage: The root contains saponins, a soap substitute that can be used for washing clothes, hair etc. It is extracted by boiling the roots in water[6]. Do not overboil the roots because this will break down the saponins[K].
Pollinators: Bees, lepidoptera
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: This plant contains saponins[6]. Although fairly toxic, these substances are poorly absorbed by the body, most passing straight through without any harm. Saponins can be found in a number of common foods such as some beans. Saponins are much more toxic t
Also Known As: Coronaria flos-cuculi.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.