Lychnis flos-cuculi - Ragged Robin
| Family: | Caryophyllaceae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 0.6 |
| Width: | 0.3 |
| Synonyms: | Coronaria flos-cuculi. |
| Range: | Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east Spain, Siberia and the Caucasus. |
Ragged Robin will flower in November to March. the seeds ripen from January to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera
Soil Information
Ragged Robin will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Ragged Robin prefers soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Ragged Robin can grow in semi or areas with no shade.Damp meadows, marshes, fens and wet woods, avoiding acid soils[17].
Planting places suited to this plant described below.
- Grows within a woodland garden
- Works within dappled Shade
- Grows in a shady edge
- Suits a meadow
- A bog garden plant
Cultivation Details
An easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil so long as it is moist, and also doing well in a bog garden[1]. It prefers a sunny position[111]. Plants succeed in damp woodlands or damp meadows[200]. At least one named form has been selected for its ornamental value[187].Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible Rating: 0/5
None known
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 0/5
None known
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in spring or early autumn though this requires more seed. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.Known Hazards
This plant contains saponins[20]. Although fairly toxic, these substances are poorly absorbed by the body, most passing straight through without any harm. Saponins can be found in a number of common foods such as some beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].Other Uses
The root contains saponins, a soap substitute that can be used for washing clothes, hair etc. It is extracted by boiling the roots in water[20]. Do not overboil the roots because this will break down the saponins[K].- Soap - Plants used directly as a soap substitute.
Cultivars
'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].References
Flora of the British Isles.Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992
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