Lychnis 'Petite Jenny'
My favorite perennial for the last two weeks has been Lychnis 'Petite Jenny'. Lychnis has always been a confusing group to me. I'm very familiar with Maltese Cross ( L. chalcedonica ) and Rose Campion ( L. coronaria ), which are quite different in appearance. And now, another species to know - L. flos-cuculi, with a variety of common names - "Ragged Robin", "Cuckoo Flower", "Catchfly", and I'm sure there are more. This was the first perennial to bloom in our little garden off the deck a few weeks ago, and Michael asked me what the beautiful pink flower was. I had to go to my spreadsheet to find it. Last year, it was Lychnis 'Petite Henry', a white-flowered variety, that bloomed so beautifully in the front garden. This year, it doesn't look as good, but 'Petite Jenny' is another story. A billowy cloud of lavender-pink flowers has increased dramatically from last year and makes a definite statement. It is lovely, espe...
