Lychnis flos-jovis

The Lychnis flos-jovis is a very pretty perennial of montane origin, combining a grey and cottony basal foliage, gathered in a dense cushion, with small bright pink-red flowers under the summer sun, carried by velvety and grey stems. Sometimes a bit slow to establish, it is more compact than its cousin the corncockle, but also longer-lived. Tolerating drought once well established, it will thrive in sunny borders and rockeries. It also grows very well in pots and adds a very vibrant touch to country bouquets.

The Lychnis flos-jovis, also known as Agrostemma flos-jovis, Coronaria flos-jovis or Lychnis bivestita, is a plant of the family Caryophyllaceae, native to the dry slopes of the mountain ranges of central Europe. It is a well-perennial plant forming rosettes of leaves at ground level, from which, in late spring, emerge hairy and silvery stems, carrying a few small leaves and little branched, reaching 40 cm (16in) in height. The plant forms over time a beautiful cushion 40 cm (16in) wide. The flowering takes place from June to September, in the form of bouquets of single flowers with 5 petals, more or less deeply notched, flat, 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter, often purplish pink, sometimes scarlet red, more rarely white. Its basal leaves, elongated and spatulate, 10 cm (4in) long, are generally deciduous.

Plant Jupiter's Flower in groups in borders, or in small touches in a rockery. It is an excellent filling perennial, ideal for filling the spaces between other plants (iris, lavenders, asters, Perowskia) in a brand new massif with a slightly barren and stony soil. A very beautiful association can be made with small rockery perennials or blue, pink or white aromatic plants, such as savory, thyme, officinal sage for example. This lychnis will easily naturalize, forming the framework of the garden and brightening the base of bushes such as mock oranges, lilacs, hydrangeas but also Eleagnus ebbingei, dark green with young foliage glazed with bronze and silver.