In in a post in 2018 I commented how my Maltese Cross (Lychnis chalcedonica) plants were having a fantastic growing year. It was very wet that summer. Perhaps, that explains why they are once again blooming like crazy! They must love all the rain we’ve been getting.
One of the few red-flowering perennials, these plants grow about 3 to 4 feet tall and prefer full sun. Despite showing off for me during wet summers, these plants are actually drought-tolerant.
I tie up the stems so they don’t flop because in my yard they get only 5 hours of sun each day. They still stand up pretty well on their own until there’s heavy rain or wind.
If you deadhead the scarlet-red blooms, the plant will keep blooming for most of the summer.
I’ve seen hummingbirds sipping nectar from the flowers on dry days this year. Maltese Cross is hardy in Zones 3-10 and needs no special winter protection.