Lychnis (Lychnis Arkwrightii Vesuvius) - Grow this attractive plant from Lychnis seeds and have both gorgeous orange-red blooms and purple colored foliage. The combination is striking! This flowering Lychnis plant commands attention when it's in bloom during the summer months, and hummingbirds cannot stay away from the brightly colored flowers! Commonly, this perennial is called Arkwright's Campion.

This Arkwright's Campion plant grows 16 - 20 inches tall, with erect stems and is hardy in zones 3 - 10 in normal environmental conditions. Arkwright's Campion flowers are a brilliant orange-scarlet color like molten lava flowing from the volcano, Mt. Vesuvius (hence the name), and they are simple in form with 5 deeply notched petals measuring 1 1/4 - 2 inches across.

Sow Lychnis seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost is expected. Use well-draining starter soil. Sow the Lychnis seeds on the surface, lightly covered. Keep seed continuously moist until germination. Some gardeners will cover with plastic wrap to keep humidity high. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost. Lychnis care includes watering deeply throughout the growing season, mulching around the base to keep the roots cool, and deadheading spent blooms to prolong the blooming season. Let the last blooms go to seed so that Lychnis can re-seed itself. If re-seeding is not desired, cut the stems back down to basal growth after blooming.

Lychnis (Lychnis Chalcedonica) - This Lychnis, also known as Maltese Cross or Jerusalem Cross, is easily established by sowing Lychnis seeds. Maltese Cross Lychnis Chalcedonica is an heirloom flower that has been grown in American gardens since Colonial times. Its scarlet colored bloom clusters begin in June and continue through August. Hummingbirds cannot leave the blooms alone!

Maltese Cross Lychnis has long been popular in cottage gardens. It is a hardy and easy perennial for any sunny border. Plants form an upright clump of bright green leaves, with taller stems that bear the clusters of scarlet-orange flowers. Jerusalem Cross Lychnis is excellent for cutting, and they are reliable and long-lived.

Sow Lychnis seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost is expected. Use well-draining starter soil. Sow the Lychnis seeds on the surface, lightly covered. Keep seed continuously moist until germination. Some gardeners will cover with plastic wrap to keep humidity high. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost and when seedlings are 2 inches tall. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong blooming season. Red Maltese Cross flowers may bloom the first year from flower seed if started early indoors. Lychnis care includes watering deeply throughout the growing season, mulching around the base to keep the roots cool, and deadheading spent blooms to prolong the blooming season.

Lychnis (Lychnis Viscaria Splendens Snowstar) - Grow this old-fashioned and sturdy cottage garden perennial from Lychnis seeds. White Lychnis Catchfly plants form a low tuft of grassy-looking leaves, bearing upright stems of fluffy double white flowers in early summer. Lychnis Catchfly flowers are excellent for cutting. Deadhead faded blooms to encourage prolonged flowering. White Lychnis Viscaria is attractive to butterflies. The foliage usually remains evergreen in mild winter regions. It is fairly drought tolerant once established. Clumps may be easily divided in early spring.

Sow Lychnis seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost is expected. Use well-draining starter soil. Sow the white Lychnis Catchfly seeds on the surface, lightly covered. Keep the flower seed continuously moist until germination. Some gardeners will cover with plastic wrap to keep humidity high. Transplant Lychnis seedlings outdoors after danger of frost and when seedlings are 2 inches tall.