Lychnis flos-cuculi
Ragged Robin · Cuckoo Flower · Meadow campion · Lady's smock · Pļavas Spulgnaglene (LVL)
Description
Source: leafsnapSilene flos-cuculi (syn. Lychnis flos-cuculi), commonly called ragged-robin, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. This species is native to Europe and Asia, where it is found along roads and in wet meadows and pastures. In Britain it has declined in numbers because of modern farming techniques and draining of wet-lands and is no longer common. However, it has become naturalized in parts of the northern United States and eastern Canada.
🌳 Ragged-robin is more than simply an attractive wildflower; it also acts as an ecological indicator of wetland health. Its occurrence frequently indicates a well-functioning wetland ecosystem. In addition to this ecological role, it featured in traditional divination practices: people believed that the number of flowers on a stem could predict how many years would pass before someone married.
🎭 Wittiness
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
The ragged-robin does best when exposed to abundant light, using it effectively to encourage healthy growth. In its early growth stages, adequate light promotes vigorous development. It originates from habitats with high light levels but can also cope in locations with moderate illumination. Excessively strong or insufficient light can affect its health.
🌡️ Temperature 5–32.2°C
Ragged-robin is native to habitats where temperatures typically range from 41 to 89.6 °F (5 to 32 ℃). The plant favors this moderate temperature span. Seasonal adjustments may be necessary to maintain optimal growing conditions.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
For Ragged‑robin, the primary time to apply fertilizer is in early spring, as the flowers begin to form. The appropriate fertilizer promotes stronger blooms and helps Ragged‑robin produce attractive flowers. Fertilizing at that early spring stage helps ensure good flowering throughout the season and supplies energy for dormant growth phases.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Lychnis
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 4-8
- Mature Height
- 76 cm
- Mature Spread
- 76 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Pink, White, Red
- Flower Size
- 2.54 cm to 5.08 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Early summer
- Planting Time
- Winter
- Harvest Time
- Mid summer
- Native Area
- Turkey, Austria, Sweden, Slovakia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Belarus, Russia, Germany, Iceland, Estonia, Romania, Latvia, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Norway, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hungary