Lychnis is a genus of 15-25 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to Europe, Asia and North Africa.

Spectacular in the perennial border and easily grown, this plant has been in cultivation for over 300 years. Many florets make up one head often 10cm across and a well grown plant will have many heads on strong stems. The plant has rounded umbels of delightful, star-shaped bright scarlet flowers. It is excellent for cutting and plants will bloom throughout the summer under hot or cold climate conditions. Flowering in its first summer from an early sowing it needs no staking and thrives in most soils. Height 1-1.2m. Flowers in summer. It grows best in full sun and in any good soil, if provided with a constant moisture supply. The blooming period is extended if faded flowers are removed.