Silene chalcedonica
Images by part: leaf (5) · flower (5) · fruit (0) · bark (0) · habit (0) · other (0)

Silene chalcedonica

Maltese Cross · Scarlet-lychnis · Maltese-cross Campion · London Pride · Burning love

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
5–35 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 4–10
Click count
324
Observations
1,035

Description

Source: leafsnap

Silene chalcedonica (syn. Lychnis chalcedonica), the Maltese-cross or scarlet lychnis, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to central and eastern Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and northwestern China. Other common names include flower of Bristol, Jerusalem cross and nonesuch.It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

🌳 The Maltese cross is a popular choice for ornamental gardens due to its ease of cultivation, longevity, and extended blooming season with vibrant red flowers. This plant has received numerous horticultural awards and is favored in cottage gardens, coastal gardens, and perennial borders. Additionally, the Maltese cross attracts butterflies and hummingbirds while being resistant to deer.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 5–35°C
Ideal temperature: 5–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial, Biennial
Genus
Silene
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Hardiness Zone
4-10
Mature Height
34 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
46 cm to 61 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Red
Flower Size
1.02 cm to 3.05 cm
Bloom Time
Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Mid summer
Native Area
Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, China

Tags (5)

Common Names (21)

en Maltese Cross
en Scarlet-lychnis
en Maltese-cross Campion
en London Pride
en Burning love
en Common rose campion
en Constantinople campion
en Dusky salmon
en Fireball
en Flower of Bristol
en Flower of Constantinople
en Gardener's delight
en Gardener's eye
en Great candlestick
en Jerusalem cross
en Knight's cross
en Meadow campion
en Nonesuch
en Red robin
en Scarlet lightning
en Tears of Christ