Lychnis coronaria is a hardy flowering biennial or short-lived perennial with bright magenta flowers that contrast beautifully with silky grey leaves and stems. It grows in full sun to around 60-75cm high when in flower, with a spread of 30-40cm, thrives in poor but well-drained soil, and self seeds readily. It is a short-lived perennial, so cut back dead stems any time from autumn to early spring, before growth begins, leaving the basal rosette of leaves untouched, and it will flower again throughout the summer.
