Silene dioica (Lychnis hybrida 'Rolly's Favourite') 'ROLLIES FAVOURITE'

Silenka is a large genus of about 500 species - annuals, biennials, perennials, and even semi-woody subshrubs. In Central Europe are cultivated mostly mat-forming species, however, sometimes a taller model shows up to make a splash such as silene dioica (lychnis flos-jovis). It is a tough perennial from East Europe and North America whose flowers are so close to lychnis, no wonder that silene and lychnis have the same name campion or catchfly (because of the sticky sap able to catch flies along the stems on some species).

Rollies Favourite (syn. Rolly's Favourite) is a long flowering, eye-catching campion variety with rich pink flowers composed in terminal panicles atop 35-40 cm tall stems from early May until July. It was bred by Hubertus Gerardus Oudshorn from the Netherlands, and patented as PP17392 in 2007. Its semi-evergreen, hairy leaves are mid green and form a sessile rosette at the ground level, and also appear along the stems. The plant grows fast and quickly forms dense tufts.

Campion is widely soil adaptable and seems to like weather whims of continental climate: hot and cold as well as wet and dry conditions. It can live in outdoor pots, too, and responds well to fertilizing. In spring carefully remove only old and dry leaves. Hardy to min. -30°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 05-05-2019