Maltese cross (Lychnis chalcedonica) is a perennial plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide.
This plant has several common names including: Maltese cross, Jerusalem cross, common rose campion, Constantinople campion, cross of Jerusalem, fireball, flower of Bristow, flower of Constantinople, gardener’s delight, gardener’s eye, great candlestick, knight’s cross, London pride, meadow campion, none-such, red Robin, scarlet lightning, scarlet lychnis or tears of Christ.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
Plant profile
Common name: Maltese cross, Jerusalem cross, common rose campion, Constantinople campion, cross of Jerusalem, fireball, flower of Bristow, flower of Constantinople, gardener’s delight, gardener’s eye, great candlestick, knight’s cross, London pride, meadow campion, none-such, red Robin, scarlet lightning, scarlet lychnis, tears of Christ
Scientific name: Lychnis chalcedonica
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Coastal, Informal Garden, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Maltese cross (Lychnis chalcedonica) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cultivation profiles – Growing Maltese cross (Lychnis chalcedonica) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
