Tickled Pink

Lychnis 'Rolly's Favorite' in front garden

A colorful spring perennial that is always a stand-out in my front garden is Lychnis 'Rolly's Favorite' (Silene x robotii).  The bright pink blooms start opening tight against its compact mound of leaves and then over the next week the flowers push upward on stems that reach about 10 inches.  This is usually one of the earliest blooming perennials beginning in April. It continues to flower until early summer most years.  I then deadhead the spent blooms, leaving the foliage as a ground cover for the remaining season. 

This perennial is pretty drought tolerant and loves the sun. I got mine from Plant Delights many years ago. They are also easy to divide as the roots are not that deep. I have to admit that this is one of those perennials that is so carefree that I usually forget about it all year until it presents its beautiful punch of pink each spring.

Stand-out pink color