How big does Ragged robin grow?

About 60 cm × 40 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 30–80 cm × 30–60 cm.

What soil does Ragged robin grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay.

Is Ragged robin hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Ragged robin flower?

Flowering: May–July, pink, white.

How much water does Ragged robin need?

Water need: high. Drought tolerance: low.

Ragged robin

Lychnis flos-cuculi

Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) is a perennial that reaches 60 cm × 40 cm after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low.

Illustration of Ragged robin — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A slender, airy wildflower whose pink (rarely white) petals are each cut into four narrow strips, giving the flowers their ragged look from May to July. It belongs in moist or wet soil: pond edges, rain gardens and damp meadows, in sun or part shade, and soon disappears from beds that dry out. Individual plants are short-lived but it renews itself from seed, so leave some spent flowers on.

Watch out for

No serious pests or diseases. It can self-seed abundantly where it is happy, while in hot, dry spots it dies out quickly.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: High
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 60 cm × 40 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–July, pink, white

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	60 cm × 40 cm
Ultimate size	30–80 cm × 30–60 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–July, pink, white
Water need	High
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	30 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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Perennials for part shade Perennials for full sun Perennials for clay soil Perennials for pollinators Low-maintenance perennials

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