Maltese Cross (Lychnis chalcedonica)

Maltese Cross is a bold, long-lived perennial known for its vivid scarlet-red flower clusters that form atop strong, upright stems. The flowers, shaped like a cross, give the plant its name and create a brilliant display in summer. With its old-fashioned charm and excellent pollinator appeal, Maltese Cross is ideal for cottage gardens, mixed borders, and cutting gardens. It’s easy to grow, cold hardy, and adds a strong vertical accent to sunny beds.

Category

Sun Needs:

  • Full sun to part shade
  • Best flowering in full sun

Bloom Time:

  • Early to mid-summer (typically June–July)
Size:

Height: 2 to 3 feet tall
Width: 12 to 18 inches wide

Attributes:
  • Brilliant red, cross-shaped flower clusters
  • Tall, sturdy stems great for cutting
  • Pollinator-friendly—attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Tolerates clay and poorer soils
  • Easy to grow and low maintenance once established
  • Traditional favorite in cottage and perennial gardens
Companion:
  • Shasta Daisy
  • Salvia
  • Coreopsis
  • Russian Sage (Perovskia)
  • Echinacea (Coneflower)
  • Yarrow (Achillea)
  • Lupine
  • Bee Balm (Monarda)
  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
  • Phlox

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