Scarlet Pimpernel
Lysimachia arvensis
Also listed as Anagallis arvensis, Anagallis phoenicea
Also known as Common Scarlet Pimpernel, Poor Man's Weather Glass, Shepherd's Calendar
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing annual wildflower with bright scarlet-red flowers that close in cloudy weather. It spreads quickly to cover bare soil and is excellent for cottage gardens and naturalized areas.
Why grow it
Scarlet pimpernel establishes quickly on disturbed or bare ground where slower perennials haven't yet filled in, making it useful for temporary cover in newly prepared beds. Its low stature and fine texture offer a visual contrast to coarser companion plants common in cottage and meadow gardens. Unlike many ornamental annuals, it tolerates poor soil and requires minimal inputs once established.
Watch out for
This species self-seeds readily and can persist year to year in favorable conditions, so deadheading or removal may be necessary if spread beyond intended areas is a concern. Performance varies considerably by region and microclimate, so trial patches in your specific growing zone are advisable before committing larger areas to it.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Primulaceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing annual wildflower with bright scarlet-red flowers that close in cloudy weather. It spreads quickly to cover bare soil and is excellent for cottage gardens and naturalized areas.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Scarlet Pimpernel grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Scarlet pimpernel establishes quickly on disturbed or bare ground where slower perennials haven't yet filled in, making it useful for temporary cover in newly prepared beds. Its low stature and fine texture offer a visual contrast to coarser companion plants common in cottage and meadow gardens. Unlike many ornamental annuals, it tolerates poor soil and requires minimal inputs once established.
Watch out for
This species self-seeds readily and can persist year to year in favorable conditions, so deadheading or removal may be necessary if spread beyond intended areas is a concern. Performance varies considerably by region and microclimate, so trial patches in your specific growing zone are advisable before committing larger areas to it.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Primulaceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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