Description
Lychnis flos-cuculi (now also listed as Silene flos-cuculi), known as ragged robin, is a UK native wild flower of damp meadows. From May to July it carries rose-pink flowers with petals cut into narrow strips, which give the plant its "ragged" look.
Ragged robin at a glance
| Botanical name |
Lychnis flos-cuculi (syn. Silene flos-cuculi) |
| Common name |
Ragged robin |
| Plant type |
Clump-forming perennial; dies back in winter |
| Height and spread |
About 75 cm tall in flower, up to 50 cm wide |
| Flowers |
Rose-pink, each petal cut into narrow "ragged" strips, May to July |
| Position |
Full sun or part shade |
| Soil |
Moist or wet soil that does not dry out in summer |
| Pond depth |
None – plant in wet soil at the pond edge, not under water |
| Hardiness |
RHS H7 – very hardy (below -20°C) |
| Native to |
UK and Ireland (native wild flower) |
Is ragged robin a pond plant?
It is a pond-edge and bog plant, not a water plant. Plant it in moist or wet soil beside the pond, in a bog garden or in a damp meadow, but not under water.
Is ragged robin good for wildlife?
Yes. It is on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, and the flowers give nectar to bumblebees, honeybees and butterflies. It has declined in the wild as wet meadows have been drained.
How to plant and care for it
Plant in spring or summer in soil that stays moist all summer. Remove faded flower stems to prolong flowering and to limit self-seeding.
Which size should I buy?
Bare-root plants (7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive without a pot or compost and are the most economical way to plant a group. Potted plants (9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive growing in our peat-free compost and give a faster display. Packs of 3 come in 7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre bare-root sizes and cost less per plant. The 2x Pot & Compost option is two plants supplied with pots and compost.
