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. Sold in local shops from about €3.90.
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.
| 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 | from about €3.90 |
Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.
The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.
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Size
|
Typical price
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|---|---|
| size not stated | approx. €3.90 – €5.90 |
Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made
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