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Annuals/Lychnis Cardenalis Maltese Cross

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Expert: - 3/7/2009


Question
Good Morning!! I would appreciate any advice regarding the soil preparation and appropriate planting time for this plant. Thanks!!!

Answer
Lychnis 'Maltese Cross' is a dependable, long lived perennial -- no fuss no muss.  Autumn or Spring planting is preferred, but this is tough enough to take mid-Summer transplant without a sweat.

It thrives in plain vanilla Soil with good drainage and a healthy microbe population -- i.e., don't use chemical fertilizers, which is salt based and will instantly wipe out many nutrient generators.  If your Soil is poor, add organic matter -- semi-decomposed Autumn leaves, aged compost and/or manure, bagged Humus and/or any of the 'organic' soil amendments like bloodmeal, bonemeal, etc.

Alternately, it will still grow and bloom satisfactorily if you use traditional chemical fertilizers and honor the basic needs of full -Sun and regular water through mid-Summer, esp in those awful heatwaves.

But they'll do better without that stuff.  I just mention it because some people can't get off the Miracle-Gro wagon.

Full Sun is one non-negotiable demand you cannot cut corners with on this plant.  Some people think they'll plant it in semi-Shade, and make up for it with extra fertilizer.  That's like saying, Gee I'm low in gas, but I don't have any in the trunk, I think I'll put in more windshield washer fluid.

Like most perennials, Lychnis does not bloom as long as, say, most annuals.  But it's one of those dazzlers that leaves the party with everyone wishing it would stay another hour.  And that, as Martha would say, is a Good Thing.

Other than that, this plant has no special needs, comes with no surprises, and will come back for an encore year after year after year as long as you meet its basic needs.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER

Annuals

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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