Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) is a pretty native wildflower that thrives in damp soil including bog gardens, wet meadows and marshy ground. The pink, lacy-petalled flowers are borne on slender stems above clumps of narrow strap-like dark green leaves, from late spring to late summer. Each petal is deeply divided into four lobes and the flowers are a deeper pink in the centres. Several named selections have white or double pink flowers, though these are much less common than the pink species.
Once widespread around the UK, ragged robin is now less often seen in the wild due to drainage and loss of wet meadows and ponds. The flowers are valuable for wildlife, rich in nectar and good for bees and other insects, so it’s especially worthy of garden planting. Ragged robin is a hardy perennial and needs very little care given the right site.
Where to grow ragged robin
Grow ragged robin plant in a sunny site in any damp or moisture-retentive-soil – by the edge of a pond or stream-side, in a specially created bog garden using a pond liner to keep moisture in the soil, or in a damp meadow. Ragged robin associates well with other moisture-loving native plants such as lady’s smock and marsh marigold.
When to plant ragged robin
Sow ragged robin seeds in moist soil from spring to early summer or in pots in spring or autumn. Plant out spring-sown ragged robin after the last frosts, and autumn-sown plants the following spring. Plant pot-bought ragged robin in autumn or early spring, either singly or in small groups.
How to plant ragged robin
Small young plants can be planted direct in soil that is well prepared and clear of grass. Otherwise, pot up and grow on plugs into good-sized plants before putting in the ground.
How to care for ragged robin
Ragged robin flowers are easy to grow and need little care, provided they’re planted in soil that doesn’t dry out in summer. Deadhead faded blooms to promote more flowers, but allow seed to ripen on late flowers before cutting back the flowered stems in late autumn. Ragged robin shouldn’t require feeding or watering if it’s planted in relatively fertile, moist soil. It will die back over winter and then plants will regrow in spring.
Propagating ragged robin
In spring or summer, sow ragged robin seed direct onto bare, moist soil where plants are to grow, covering with a thin layer of fine soil. Ragged robin seeds itself and naturalises in the right conditions. Allow the seed heads to ripen and leave either the plant to scatter its own seed from the waving stems or collect and scatter by hand over a wider area.
Divide established plants that are several years old, in autumn, by lifting, splitting and replanting to form groups or drifts of plants.
Pests and diseases
Ragged robin is not subject to any pests or diseases.
Advice on buying ragged robin
- Buy ragged robin either as seed, young plants (known as ‘plugs’) or pot-grown plants
- Always check bought plants for signs of pests and disease before planting
Where to buy ragged robin
Ragged robin varieties to grow
Lychnis flos-cuculi ‘Nana’ is a low-growing ragged robin with pink star-shaped flowers. Height x Spread: 15cm x 20cm
Lychnis flos-cuculi Jenny (‘Lychjen’) has large pink double-flowers from June to August. H x S: 75cm x 45cm
Lychnis flos-cuculi ‘White Robin’ is a single white ragged robin with flowers with deeply divided petals. H x S: 75cm x 40cm
Lychnis flos-cuculi (‘Petite Jenny’) is a compact double-flowered pink ragged robin. H x S: 40cm x 40cm
Lychnis flos-cuculi PETIT HENRI ‘Iflyph’ is a compact ragged robin with white double flowers. H x S: 45cm x 45cm
Frequently asked questions
Is ragged robin the same as red campion?
Ragged robin is not the same as red campion, although they are related. Red campion flowers don’t have such deeply divided petals and they tend to grow in drier places like road verges, hedgerows and woodland edges.
Does ragged robin grow in shade?
Ragged robin will grow in partial shade, but it grows best in full sun.
