Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Lychnis x arkwrightii 'Vesuvius'
Vesuvius Campion
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Height
- 12–18 inches
- Width
- 12–18 inches
- Flower color
- Orange-scarlet
- Foliage color
- Brownish-purple
- Bloom time
- Mid to late summer
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Regular
- Maintenance
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming; may self-seed prolifically
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4–10
- Wildlife
- Butterflies, hummingbirds
About this plant
Lychnis x arkwrightii 'Vesuvius' is an impressive perennial known for its rich, reddish-orange flowers that have a unique, star-like shape. The five-petaled blooms are slightly jagged at the edges, creating a delicate, spiky appearance. These flowers are borne in dense clusters atop tall, sturdy stems, rising above the plant's green leaves with distinctive purple undersides. The flowers appear in mid-summer and persist into fall, providing bold color and attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
'Vesuvius' is low maintenance and thrives in full sun, making it ideal for borders, cottage gardens, or containers. Its resilience and ability to self-seed ensure that it continues to add color to the garden over time. With its bright flowers and ease of care, 'Vesuvius' is a great option for gardeners seeking to bring a touch of long-lasting color to their landscape.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Rain Gardens
Companion plants
Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm · Yarrow · Ornamental grasses · Garden phlox
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. In full sun it holds its shape best, and grouping several together keeps the color strong enough to be seen from across the garden.
