Lychnis 'HILL GROUNDS' hybrid rose campion
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,6-0,8m
usual width
0,3-0,5m
leaves
semi-deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-August
location
full sun
soil type
neutral to alkaline
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Lychnis is a genus of about 30 species of biennials and perennials. Recently, there has been a newcomer to the group – a few silene species some of which have been renamed to lychnis just like one of the two parents of this hybrid – lychnis coronaria. The second parent was lychnis flos-jovis. The variety was created by Janet Cropley from Hill Grounds, gardens in Northamptonshire, England.
Description of the plant:
Hill Grounds is a is a medium-tall hybrid rose campion variety, a perennial with tomentose leaves and bright magenta pink flowers. They are about 3 cm in diameter and bloom from June on 60-80 cm tall, upright but slightly crooked stems. The leaves, just like the stems, are densely covered with hairs owing to which they appear silvery grey rather than green, which is their true colour underneath. They are lanceolate, semi-evergreen, form a thick rosette near the ground and only a few smaller leaves appear at the internodes up the stems.The main flowering phase lasts nearly two months and then new flower buds are formed just beneath the spent flowers on the very same stems. You can let them continue blooming or remove the stems to enjoy handsome foliage that will make sure the clump looks good until the end of the growing season. The plants are dense, sterile, and slowly spread but are not weedy like the original parent.
Rose campion is a typical meadow plant. There it seeks the sun, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline soil, which will never completely dry out, but all excess water will always drain away after the rain - that's why it copes well with stony soil. It like fertile soil and responds well to light feeding. In spring carefully remove old, withered leaves. Hardy to min. -30 °C (USDA zone 5), perhaps a bit more.
Last update 02-10-2023; 21-07-2024
