Wild and Weedy Wednesday: Lychnis (Silene) flos-cuculi

We have been hearing cuckoos for a few weeks now. I find it a lovely gentle sound and always hope to catch a glimpse of one, which I have only managed to do once. They are rather unassuming and blend into the background well, and yet their call draws attention to them. Around the same time as the cuckoos can be heard we often find the so-called ‘cuckoo campion’ (Kuckuckslichtnelke in German) known as Ragged Robin in the UK.

Lychnis (Silene) flos-cuculi is a pretty pink wild flower that blooms in our meadow in May or June.

In shadier or damper spots it may continue to flower all through the summer, but it hasn’t been so profuse here this year due to the lack of rain.

Another reason Ragged Robin has its German name ‘Cuckoo campion’ is the fact that you may see cuckoo spit on it (the frothy protection for the larvae of spittlebugs or froghoppers). I am not sure where the English name ‘Ragged Robin’ originated.

Do you ever see this pretty wild flower growing near you? And do you hear cuckoos? (Have you ever seen one?!)

Have a good week, and Happy Gardening!

 

 

 



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