All the Dirt on Gardening

In our area, Rose Campion (also called Blood Red, Abbotswood Rose) can become too enthusiastic about spreading her offspring. In a couple of years, a cluster of 6 plants will have little seedlings spread over a 5 foot by 3 foot area of the ground surrounding the bed. The generic Campion name comes from the Greek word lychnos or lamp, describing the bright flowers atop the soft colored leaves and stems. According to "Armitage's Manual of Annulas, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials", they used to be called Champions referring to their use in garlands given to victors in public contests. There are many Lychnis species and a few Lychnis have been moved into the Silene family so you may see references calling some of them one or the other. One of the other common ones is Lychnis chalcedonica or Maltese Cross. Wikipedia says it is from Europe, China and Russia. The one we grow so easily is a European variety, Lychnis coronaria or Rose Campion  Rose campion in Febr...

Left: Blue and white Larkspur with rose campion . Right: Shrimp plant is a zone 9 beauty that will become 3 by 3 by the end of the summer These are seedlings and recently planted seeds for the upcoming Muskogee Garden Club plant sale at the Centennial Garden Tour June 9 and June 10. Plant seedlings include rose campion , snow on the mountain, love-lies-bleeding amaranth , purple millet, cleome , blackberries, mint and a few others. Seeds that we hope will be up and garden ready for the 9 th include teddy bear sunflowers, Mexican sunflowers, sunshine sunflowers, Indian blanket, Berry Basket and Decor zinnias from Renee Seeds and others. Anise Hyssop is the lavender spire in front and rose campion is the deep red flower in back. They were both started from seed two years ago. Great gardening weather and welcome rain is coming. It is easy to be an optimist this spring!