The cuckoo campion with its pink, slightly tousled flowers used to be found in moors, swamps and wet meadows. However, since numerous wetlands have been drained and made available for agriculture in the past, the natural population of the campion plant has continued to decline. In recent years, however, the perennial has also been increasingly cultivated in gardens.
The cuckoo campion likes to have wet feet
Data and facts about the cuckoo campion at a glance
- Botanical name: Silene flos-cuculi
- Family: Carnation family
- Genus: Catchweed
- Origin: Europe
- Distribution: Central and Northern Europe
- Habitat: Wet meadows, moors, swamps, on standing and flowing water
- Growth form: herbaceous
- Perennial: annual
- Height: up to 80 centimeters
- flowers: fivefold
- Colours: pink, occasionally white
- Flowering period: May to July
- Fruits: capsule fruit
- Fruit ripening: July to October
- leaves: lanceolate
- Propagation: seeds
- Hardiness: yes
- Toxicity: slightly toxic, contains irritating saponins
- Use: ornamental plant, pasture for bees and butterflies
location
As in its natural location, the cuckoo campion prefers a place that is as moist and semi-shady as possible. It also thrives well in sunnier places, but then needs a wetter soil - the perennial does not tolerate drought at all. For this reason, planting on the bank of the garden pond, for example, is ideal.
Cultivate cuckoo campion in the garden
If the site conditions are right, the cuckoo campion is a very flowering plant. The catchfly plant is best planted in groups, as it forms dense seas of flowers. Otherwise, the perennial does not need too much care, you neither have to fertilize it nor does it need regular pruning. The one-year-old cuckoo campion also manages the propagation all by itself, because it sows itself quite reliably on its own. Another advantage is their pronounced winter hardiness, thanks to which no additional protective measures are required.
tips
The cuckoo campion propagates not only by seeds, but also by offshoots.