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, especially when blowing in the breeze.

This perennial grows in sun to part shade and is tolerant of damp soil. Ours gets shade in the morning and sun in the afternoon. The blooms keep producing if you keep them deadheaded. This is the second year for this plant (it was planted in June 2024) and is about a 2 feet tall and wide mound. It does need a hoop or support to keep it from flopping. Today was the first day I used the sprinkler for watering and I was careful to not let it hit this plant. The things we do!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy