Lychnis

Lychnis is encouraged to self seed in my garden. Originally I thought that only the white variety would be welcome, and I carefully collected seeds off the first plant.

a sea of magenta lychnis

I didn't realise then how prolific Lychnis was, or how much my colour tastes would widen. I don't collect Lychnis seeds any more. I just let the plants do this work for me, and that way the plants turn up in unexpected places.

Magenta Lychnis in the Border

Favourite Magenta Lychnis

Over the years I seem to have acquired a trio of lychnis colours - white, magenta, and a mid pink. The deep magenta is my favourite. Just one of these plants makes a border wake up and be noticed, and the greyish leaves are the perfect foil.

I find small seedlings easy to transplant, too. The flowering cherry by the driveway is surrounded by a ring of pink, white and magenta Lychnis plants which were shifted there in the heat of early summer and barely covered or watered.

It's funny to remember that I actually used to deadhead these plants - when I was an innocent younger gardener trying to do the right thing!

My garden has a lot of green, both in the foliage and leaves of plants in the borders and in the large sweeps of lawn which connect everything. All this green-ness cancels out any harsh effects that the strong magenta colour might have. I love it, and woe betide any trendy magazine that might insult it - I will immediately cancel my subscription!