Maltese cross
Lychnis chalcedonica
Maltese cross is a perennial for mid-border, suited to full sun and clay, loam or chalk, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 90 cm |
| Spread | 45 cm |
| Aspect | full sun |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 3a-8b, RHS H7 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | Not confirmed |
Where to use it in a border
At around 90 cm, it sits best through the middle of a border, between taller structure behind and edging in front. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 8b and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of full sun, clay soil, chalk soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Maltese cross's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Allium 'Purple Sensation'to flower when it does not
- American Wisteria 'Amethyst Falls'for height behind it
- Apple 'Bramley's Seedling'for height behind it
- Apple 'Cox's Orange Pippin'for height behind it
- Avensto edge in front
- Avens 'Lady Stratheden'to edge in front
Garden styles
Cottage garden Wildlife garden
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: