Lychnis chalcedonica

‘Rauhreif’

WHITE MALTESE CROSS

Lychnis chalcedonica ‘Rauhreif’
WHITE MALTESE CROSS

Lychnis chalcedonica ‘Rauhreif’ is the less known and beautiful white form of the much loved Maltese Cross.
Lychnis chalcedonica is one of the most impressive and eye-catching of all the wonderful “Catchfly” family.
And this white form is pure elegance and class.
Though it is equally easy growing as all the others, despite such glamourous good looks.
And sacrifices none of the bone-hardiness of the whole family.

Small soccer balls of white crosses

So this gorgeous variety produces clusters of white flowers in snowballs of bloom.
Flowering on long stems, from late spring through to late summer.
They really do look like small soccer balls. Made up of lots of little Maltese Crosses.
Bees and butterflies simply adore them for their abundant nectar and long blooming season.
While florists also love to harvest such long, strong stems of showy heads.

Hardy & easy in the garden

So plant Lychnis chalcedonica ‘Rauhreif’ in Full Sun to a little Part Shade.
Where it is happily frost hardy down to approx. -10C.
And it is also undemanding for feed and water, being a water-wise plant that can manage very well on only average garden watering, and basic fertility.
In fact it is perhaps better grown a little on the lean side to keep it strong.
So it is well-suited to coastal gardens and areas with harsher conditions.

Un-fussy & trouble free

Soil should be well drained, but otherwise Lychnis chalcedonica will accept almost all soil types. From sandy or rocky to heavy loam. And from acid to alkaline pH.
‘Rauhreif’ is rarely if ever troubled by pests and diseases.
It is highly disease free.
And also very low maintenance.
Only requiring an annual cut down to the socks after blooming has finished.

Rabbit & deer resistant

Plus rabbits and deer generally do not find it tempting.

Long lived & much loved

Lychnis chalcedonica ‘Rauhreif’ is an exceptionally hardy, long lived, and much loved perennial clump.
It grows to at least. 75cm. High (though it can be up to 90cm. tall in generous conditions) in summer x 30cm. Wide. It makes and evergreen, low clump of foliage rosettes which are always there for you. Then in the summer it soars up with the spectacular, tall flowering heads.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners and kids

INDOORS: First sow the seeds in a punnet, on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then pat the seeds gently to the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
But do not cover, as these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allow the moisture to percolate to the surface from below.

Then place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in direct sun).
You can use a heat mat if you have one, but it is not essential.
It is also beneficial to cover the punnet with a clear plastic lid, to maintain moisture.

Temperatures of 20-22C. are recommended for rapid and optimum germination.

Seeds germinate in 7-21 days.

SEED COUNT: 100 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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