Maltese Cross is an early summer-blooming perennial that bears tight clusters of bright scarlet, cross-shaped flowers on long stalks. It was an early import to the American colonies, and was listed in Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon's 1804 broadsheet as "Scarlet Lychnis." Thomas Jefferson sowed it in one of the oval beds at Monticello in 1807. The striking flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer-resistant. Jefferson-documented: This plant was documented by Thomas Jefferson in his Garden Book, Notes on the State of Virginia, or other writings.Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date at 70 degrees F. Transplant to 3" pots once they have several true leaves, then harden off and transplant outdoors after last frost. Approximately 120-140 seeds per packet.
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