Lychnis coronaria 'Alba'
Felted gray foliar rosettes form at summer's end, persisting through winter and filling out in spring. Tall sturdy multi-branched felted stems produce ivory-white saucer flowers from mid-spring to midsummer. The white form is much more suitable for off-leash plantings than magenta forms.
Short-lived but self-seeds prolifically with fuzzy leaves giving early presence away for easy management. Drought-tolerant, accepting of building sites, weekend cabins, and lazy gardeners. RHS Award of Garden Merit. The white flowers blend more harmoniously with varied colour schemes than the magenta species.
Growing Conditions
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry
Soil: well-drained
Hardiness zone: 5
Maintenance: low
Size & Habit
Height (cm): 80
Spread (cm): 60
Habit: upright branched
Seasonal Interest
Flowering period: May–July
Seasonal interest: summer bloom; gray foliage year-round; winter rosettes
Foliage: gray felted
Flower: ivory white
Ecology & Notes
Wildlife value: pollinators
Deer/Rabbit resistance: moderate
Habitat: dry borders; gravel gardens; cottage gardens; lazy gardens
Features: ivory-white flowers; felted gray foliage; biennial; self-seeding; drought-tolerant; winter rosettes; AGM
Notes: AGM; short-lived but self-seeds; drought-tolerant; more suitable for off-leash than magenta; winter rosettes