Maltese Cross 'Dawn Sky'
( Lychnis chalcedonica v. carnea )
 
This is a beautiful form of this almost essential hardy perennial with lovely dusky-pink star-shaped flowers. Lychnis chalcedonica 'Carnea' has large clusters of salmon-pink flowers from June to August. It's wonderful for attracting hummingbirds . It also makes a good cut flower.
Wonderful for any flower arrangement and as a wedding flower 
 
Details:
Plant life cycle: Perennial
Site: Full sun/partial shade
Height:36-48"
Seed depth : surface, press into the soil
Plant spacing:12-28"
Approx seeds per packet: 50
 
How to grow:
 
Sow indoors.
Sow 6–8 weeks before last frost and cover with humidity dome to retain moisture until germination occurs. Keep at 65-70°F.Surface sow onto moist well-drained seed compost. Press seeds lightly into soil but do not cover. Light is needed for germination. Ideal temp. 65-70 F.
Germination takes 10-20 days. Transplant seedlings when they have 2 sets of true leaves to 4" pots. Acclimatise and plant out once danger of frost has passed. Can be sown directly in spring or summer, this to12-18" spacing.
 
Starting Outdoors: Direct sow mid-spring to early summer. May bloom the first year if sown indoors.
 
Autumn sowings should overwinter indoors planting out the following spring.Very easy to grow. Prefers moist fertile soil in full sun. Dislikes winter wet. May require staking.
 
Cultivation Instructions: Cut back after flowering to encourage further blooms and to prevent self-seeding. Established clumps can be divided in spring.
 
How to harvest:  Cut fresh flowers when 3/4-fully opened florets
 
Vase life: up tp 7 days