Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi). Attractive to butterfly and long-tongued bee species.

Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)

Name: Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)
SKU: LYCFCU
Availability: InStock

Price range: £10.00 through £25.00

A perennial wildflower known for its delicate, ragged pink blooms. Growing up to 90cm tall, its star-shaped flowers attract bumblebees, butterflies, and moths, while its nectar-rich blooms support 18 insect species, including the rare heath fritillary.

Perfect for damp areas, bog gardens, or pond edges, this low-maintenance plant thrives in moisture-rich soil and is resistant to pests and diseases. With its wildlife-friendly appeal and striking pink flowers, Ragged Robin is a must-have for any nature-supporting garden.

Size

Clear

SKU: LYCFCU Categories: Damp/Bog Gardens, Garden, Garden Plants, Marginal, Pond Plants Tags: Bog Garden, Full Sun, Garden Plant, Marginal, Native, Part-Shade, Pollinators, RHS PFP

Bring a touch of wild beauty to your garden with Ragged Robin, a charming perennial wildflower known for its delicate, star-shaped pink blooms. Each flower features five narrow petals, deeply divided into four lobes, giving it the distinctive “ragged” appearance that inspired its name. Growing up to 90cm tall, this plant boasts flowers on slender stems, complemented by blue-green, lance-shaped leaves at its base.

Ragged Robin is a wildlife magnet, offering rich nectar that attracts bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies, and moths, including the orange-tip butterfly and the rare heath fritillary. In fact, it’s a food source for 18 different insects, making it a vital addition to any wildlife-friendly garden. Its presence also supports a biodiverse ecosystem, drawing in dragonflies, frogs, toads, and other creatures.

Thriving in damp conditions, Ragged Robin is perfect for boggy areas, wet meadows, or moist flower borders. Sadly, this moisture-loving plant is becoming less common in the wild due to habitat loss, making it even more valuable to plant in your garden.

Easy to grow and resistant to pests and diseases, Ragged Robin is a low-maintenance way to add colour and life to your outdoor space while supporting local wildlife.

Details

Native: Yes
Sun: Full Sun to Part-Shade
Depth: 0-1cm (Pond edges, or in ground that isn’t allowed to dry fully)
Height: 60 – 90cm
Spread: 30 – 40cm
RHS PFP: Yes

Care Instructions

Minimal maintenance is necessary for this plant.

Repotting Instructions

If planting in the garden, dig a hold the size of the root/soil ball and plant in damp soil.

9cm marginal pond plants require potting into a mesh basket for ponds. Place in a pond no deeper than 1/3 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish.

1ltr marginal pond plants do not require repotting but will benefit from a bigger basket, there is no need to remove the mesh basket. Place in pond no deeper than 1/2 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish. Plants over 60cm height growth will benefit from repotting into a larger mesh basket or should be planted in gravel to prevent them from falling over in a breeze.

3ltr and 5ltr pond plants do not require repotting; there is no need to remove the mesh basket. Place on the shelf of the pond at the required depth