Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Lychnis coronaria (L.) Desr

Fully hardy, erect biennial or short-lived perennial with woolly, silver-grey foliage and usually single, purple-red or pale purple flowers in summer.  To 80cm.  An excellent and striking herbaceous plant.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The single Rose Campion has long been an inhabitant of the English gardens, where, by its seeds having scattered, it is become a kind of weed.  There are three varieties of the plant, one with deep red, one with flesh-coloured, and a third with white flowers, but these are of small esteem, for the double Rose Campion being a finer flower, has turned the others out of most fine gardens.  The single sorts propagate fast enough by the seeds, the sort with double flowers never produces any, so is only propagated by parting of the roots.’  [Miller, quoted in BM t.24/1787].  Introduced to Britain from Italy in 1596.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed as Agrostemma coronaria in all published catalogues [H.4/1843].

Notes

Lychnis coronaria Franch. & Sav. (1873) = Lychnis coronata Thunb. which see, synonym Lychnis grandiflora Jacq., from Japan.

Published Feb 01, 2009 - 02:18 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 02:36 PM

Depicted is a shoot with greyish foliage and single, bright red flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.24, 1787.

Lychnis coronaria (L.) Desr. | BM t.24/1787 | BHL

Family Caryophyllaceae
Category
Region of origin

South east Europe

Synonyms
  • Agrostemma coronaria L.
Common Name

Rose campion, Dusty miller, Mullein pink

Name in the Camden Park Record

Agrostemma coronaria 

Confidence level high