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(Silene flos-cuculi)
Ragged Robin (Silene flos-cuculi)
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Edmundas Greimas
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Edmundas Greimas
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Edmundas Greimas | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Edmundas Greimas | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-06-11T14:22:59-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Silene flos-cuculi, commonly known as Ragged Robin, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to damp meadows, fens, and wet woodlands across Europe and Asia. It forms a rosette of low-growing foliage with numerous flower stems that range from 20 to 90 cm tall. The stems rise above the foliage and branch near the top, ending with distinctive, deeply cut pink flowers that are 3–4 cm across, giving the appearance of ragged edges. Ragged Robins bloom from May to August, occasionally later, attracting butterflies and long-tongued bees that feed on the flower’s nectar.
Ragged Robin is valued for its unique flower shape and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it suitable for rain gardens, waterside plantings, and wildlife gardens. It is also used in cottage gardens for its charming, whimsical appearance. This plant prefers consistently moist soil and can tolerate poorly drained areas. While it enjoys full sun to part shade, it will require more water in sunnier spots. Ragged Robin can self-seed and spread, which should be considered when planting. In some regions, it has become invasive, so it is important to manage its spread to prevent it from outcompeting native species.CC BY-SA 4.0
Ragged Robin is valued for its unique flower shape and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it suitable for rain gardens, waterside plantings, and wildlife gardens. It is also used in cottage gardens for its charming, whimsical appearance. This plant prefers consistently moist soil and can tolerate poorly drained areas. While it enjoys full sun to part shade, it will require more water in sunnier spots. Ragged Robin can self-seed and spread, which should be considered when planting. In some regions, it has become invasive, so it is important to manage its spread to prevent it from outcompeting native species.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2.5 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Native to damp meadows, fens, and wet woodlands across Europe and Asia
Other Names
Common Names: Cuckoo Flower, Ragged-Robin, Echte Koekoeksbloem, Kuckucks-Lichtnelke
Scientific Names: , Lychnis flos-cuculi, Silene flos-cuculi, Lychnis flos-cuculi subsp. flos-cuculi, Coccyganthe flos-cuculi, Coronaria flos-cuculi, Lychnis cyrilli, Melandrium flos-cuculi, Agrostemma flos-cuculi, Silene cuculi
GBIF Accepted Name: Silene flos-cuculi (L.) Greuter & Burdet