Rose Campion
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Rose Campion |
| Botanical Name | Lychnis coronaria |
| Mature Size | 12 - 24” tall, 12 - 24” wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, alkaline, Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to Summer |
| Flower Color | Red |
| Care | Red campion isn’t overly picky about its growing conditions. It has some drought tolerance once it’s established. And it’s even quite resistant to pests and diseases. Just make sure it has good soil drainage and a decent amount of sunlight. Also, aim to plant it and then leave it alone, rather than disturbing its roots by transplanting. If you wish, you can prune to encourage more flowering. But otherwise this plant is very low-maintenance. |
| Soil | Red campion grows best in well-draining sandy, gravelly, or loamy soils. It won't do well in heavy clay. The ideal soil pH is neutral to slightly alkaline. |
| Water | This plant likes a moderate amount of water, but it can tolerate dry soil. Water young plants regularly as their root system becomes established. A good rule of thumb is to water whenever the top 2 inches of soil have dried out. Make sure the soil is never waterlogged, as this can cause root rot. |
| Temperature and Humidity | Red campion does best in mild temperatures, and humidity isn't typically a factor for its growth. Frost will kill young plants, so it's important to be sure frost is out of the forecast before planting in the spring. Moreover, very hot temperatures can stress plants. In hot climates, it's often best to provide them with some afternoon shade, and make sure the soil doesn't fully dry out. |
| Fertilizer | In general, no additional fertilizer will be necessary to grow red campion. If you have very nutrient-poor soil, you can mix some compost into the soil at the time of planting. |
| Pruning | Deadhead spent flowers to prevent undesired self-seeding. Cut back flower stems after flowering and leave the basal foliage on display for the rest of the season. |
| Overwintering | There's generally no overwintering maintenance necessary for red campion. Just ensure that your planting site has good drainage. Freezing and thawing soil can become waterlogged if it doesn't drain properly, which can damage or kill the plant's roots. |
| Source | https://www.thespruce.com/growing-red-campion-5093701 |