Lychnis flos-cuculi

Lychnis flos cuculi (syn. Silene flos cuculi), also called cuckoo flower, is a native perennial with a columnar upright habit and gray-green, lance-shaped, grass-like leaves. The main bloom takes place in May and June, but the cuckoo flower often flowers again from August to October. The flowers are star-shaped and purplish-pink to almost violet. They have five petals that are deeply incised. Lychnis flos cuculi prefers a position in full sun or partial shade and moderately fertile, well-drained, but sufficiently moist soil. Once established, this lychnis is also fairly drought tolerant. The real cuckoo flower is hardy, tolerant to sea wind and air pollution, good disease resistance and little trouble with pests.