Species catchfly
Catchfly(Lychnis fulgens); deep orange flowers with hairy, green sepals, stems, and buds with green leaves

catchfly

Lychnis fulgens

Catchfly (Lychnis fulgens) is an upright, showy perennial that features small pink flowers with five petals and bright yellow centers. It has spiky, dark green foliage, and it blooms in late summer and fall. This plant can reach up to 30 inches tall, and prefers full sun and well-drained, moisture-retentive soil. It is a great addition to the garden for its beautiful, long-lasting flowers - and its being deer and rabbit resistant is an added bonus! This plant is also attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a valuable garden asset.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Red Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Catchfly (Lychnis fulgens) should be watered regularly during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During its active growth season (spring and summer) this plant should be watered thoroughly—preferably twice weekly—with 1 inch of water for each square foot of soil. During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, water should be cut back to once a month or when the soil begins to dry out. Be sure to check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering.

sunlight

Catchfly plants (Lychnis fulgens) ideally grow in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. They can also tolerate some partial or dappled shade during the hottest portions of the day. Although a bit more sun is preferred, catchfly plants can still thrive in full shade conditions. However, if grown under too much shade, they tend to become weaker and spindly in their growth habit. During the summer months, catchfly plants should be placed in a full sun location for maximum flowering and robust growth. In areas where summer temperatures and humidity are too high, some afternoon shade may be beneficial.

pruning

Catchfly (Lychnis fulgens) plants should be pruned in the late winter or early spring. When pruning catchfly, remove any old, dead, or damaged stems to the base. If the plant appears to be overgrown, shorten the stems by cutting them back to just above a pair of strong buds. Overall, the goal should be to maintain an attractive form while keeping the plant healthy.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Catchfly typically starts flowering in June.

Hardiness Map