Member of the Pink family. Also known as Adders' Flower, Jack-by-the-Hedge, Red Mintchop, Soldiers' Buttons and Scalded Apples. Hardy perennial, growing 1 - 3 ft (30 - 92 cm) high. Pretty, bright-red flowers with divided petals, which close at night, and sticky leaves. Great favourite of the long-tongued bumble-bee and good nectar plant for butterflies. Mashed-up seeds used to be used to treat snake bites. Pollinated by long-tongued bumblebees and hoverflies. Food plant of the Rivulet, Campion, Lychnis, Twin Spot Carpet, Marbled Clover and Sandy Carpet moths.Generally flowers May to September but sometimes goes on longer. Pick Red Campion and your father will die, or so people used to believe.
Plant Red Campion in a clump to good effect in sun or partial shade (prefers dappled shade). Ideal plant for damp conditions - found naturally in damp woodlands and hedgerows. Vigorous self-seeder. Associated with snakes, devils, goblins and death.
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