Brilliant campion
Lychnis fulgensfam. Caryophyllaceae
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Pl. D344 — Lychnis fulgens
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IOverview
Overview
Brilliant campion (Lychnis fulgens) is a perennial forb or herb native to regions including Amur, China North-Central, and Korea. This plant thrives in moist conditions with light to partial sun exposure, making it adaptable to various soil types such as sandy, medium, and clay. Known for its edible leaves, which can be enjoyed in culinary dishes, brilliant campion is also valued for its ornamental qualities, adding vibrant color to gardens. Its distinctive feature lies in the striking appearance of its flowers, which are often a bright pink or red, standing out against its green foliage.
Quick answers
What is Brilliant campion?
Brilliant campion (Lychnis fulgens) is a perennial forb or herb native to regions including Amur, China North-Central, and Korea. This plant thrives in moist conditions with light to partial sun exposure, making it adaptable to various soil types such as sandy, medium, and clay.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Brilliant campion thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 5-9 and grows as a perennial reaching heights of about 0.6 meters. Propagate through seeds or division in spring or fall. Leaves are edible and can be harvested for use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Brilliant campion for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Brilliant campion in a sunny spot and follow these simple steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, garden soil, container if needed.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5; ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden after danger of frost is past, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outdoors.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist; avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun for best flowering and regular watering, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the base to retain moisture.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead flowers to encourage more blooms; cut back foliage if it becomes leggy or diseased.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil, neglecting to prune dead flowers.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Brilliant campion are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often used in salads for their mild flavor or added to soups and stews to enhance the dish's texture and taste. Skip the detailed preparation instructions as they were not provided in the data.
Other uses:Soap
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
10 native · 2 introduced
Distribution
10 native · 2 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 10 native· 2 introduced
Asia4 regions
native (2)ChinaSouth Korea
introduced (2)JapanMongolia
Broader regions
native:Amur, Chita, Khabarovsk, Primorye
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Caryophyllaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Caryophyllaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
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Growing zone
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · d3448fec-fe5d-459c-9c7b-5453320c3c3b
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