Appearance

Growth form

This upright biennial or short-lived perennial usually grows about 1–3 ft (0.3–0.9 m) tall.

Leaves

Dense white hairs make the opposite leaves and stems look silver-gray and feel soft.

Flowers

Five-petaled magenta, rose, pink, or white flowers appear above the foliage in summer. Individual flowers are about 1–1.25 in (2.5–3.2 cm) across.

Fruit

The dry capsule opens to release many seeds.

Look-alikes

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• gardens and borders
• roadsides and fields
• rocky disturbed ground

Range

It is native from southeastern Europe through parts of western and central Asia. It is grown widely in the United States and has escaped into roadsides, fields, and clearings in a number of states.

Preferred conditions

It grows best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Established plants tolerate dry conditions.

Growing it

Care

It grows in U.S. plant hardiness zones 4a–10b. Letting some seed capsules mature can keep it in a garden because individual plants are often short-lived.

Propagation

It is easily raised from seed and can also be grown from shoots cut near the base of the plant. It self-seeds readily where conditions suit it.

Name and classification

About the name

It was formerly called Lychnis coronaria.

Varieties and forms

The white-flowered garden form 'Alba' is also grown.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed