Lychnis chalcedonica

Lychnis chalcedonica, the Maltese Cross, is a plant with a genuine old-world presence, bold, upright, and absolutely unmistakable in bloom. In early to midsummer, tall, sturdy stems are topped with dense, domed clusters of brilliant scarlet-orange flowers, each tiny bloom intricately cut into the distinctive cross shape that gives the plant its common name. The effect is vivid, architectural, and wonderfully dramatic against a sea of softer summer colors.

A hardy perennial that returns reliably in zones 3-9, Maltese Cross is a tough and long-lived garden plant that asks for very little: full sun to part sun, regular water, and room to make an impression. It’s deer resistant, attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies in abundance, and makes a striking cut flower with real staying power in the vase.

Plant it where you need vertical drama at the back of a mixed border, rising through cottage plantings, or massed for a bold, fiery statement. Pair it with cool blues and purples for maximum contrast, or let it set the whole border ablaze. A classic worth growing.