Lychnis viscaria 'Splendens' 

🌿 Lychnis viscaria 'Splendens' 

Lychnis viscaria 'Splendens' delivers vivid magenta-pink flower spikes on upright stems, bringing bold early summer colour and strong vertical accents to the front or middle of sunny borders. Compact and low-maintenance, this clump-forming perennial is a magnet for pollinators and thrives in poor soils — making it ideal for gravel planting, wildflower-style borders, and island gardens with lighter soils.

Specifications:

• Height: 30–45cm

• Spread: 25–35cm

• Flowering: May to July 🌸☀️

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Free-draining; thrives in sandy, gravelly, or chalky soils

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting:
On the island, Lychnis 'Splendens' excels in full sun and tolerates dry, stony soils with ease. A perfect choice for coastal gardens or low-input borders, it doesn’t require staking and will repeat flower lightly if deadheaded after the first flush. Its resilience and colour intensity make it a standout in exposed locations.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants for Lychnis viscaria 'Splendens' 

1. Achillea millefolium 'New Vintage Red'
The warm red tones of Achillea echo Lychnis’s magenta flowers, creating a bold, cohesive planting scheme.

2. Salvia 'Caradonna'
Rich purple spires provide vertical rhythm and a moody contrast to the vibrant pinks of Lychnis.

3. Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'
Lavender-blue mounds soften the vivid colour of Lychnis and cool the palette beautifully.

4. Erigeron karvinskianus
The dainty daisies of Erigeron thread around Lychnis for a relaxed, wild-garden feel with long-season flowering.

5. Pennisetum orientale 'Flamingo'
Fine plumes from ornamental grasses provide soft texture and contrast, creating a dynamic edge to the planting.

🌟 The Green Standard Tip:
Use Lychnis 'Splendens' in groups of three or more near the front of sun-baked borders. Its strong colour and tidy form pair well with Mediterranean and wildlife-friendly planting schemes, while also suiting modern gravel gardens and dry prairie-style designs.