Often found in North American grassland , silene is esteem for its brilliant summertime blossoms and upkeep - free increase habit .
campion is a genus of approximately 900 blossoming annual and perennial , some native to the North American grasslands . yearly silene ( often found inprairies and hayfield ) swash early summer flowers in pretty shades of pinkish , white , red , and magenta . It hold out just one year but pronto self - seed to germinate new plant life each saltation . Perennial catchfly , on the other bridge player , can reelect to the same spot year after class .
Silene also goes by the common name catchfly , a name it realise thanks to the works ’s sticky folio and stanch . Anecdotally , it is enjoin that the leave-taking and stems are so sticky they could captivate a fly sheet ; but the unenviable stems really admonish ants and other small insect from snack on the works .
Clint Farlinger.
Where to Plant Silene
Silene is oftenused in John Rock garden , curbside plantings , and full - sun garden borders . In these dry , sometimes inhospitable conditions , other plants may perish , but campion flourish . When in flush , catchfly describe in welcome visitant ( like butterfly , bees , and nocturnal moth ) , so it also makes a not bad addition to pollinator garden , cottage garden , and wildflower gardens .
In golden conditions , silene can become weedy . If unmanaged , some species may crowd out other industrial plant . Contain your silene by planting it in a garden box or hanging planter where the foliage and flowers can slop over the position . Or , to void send away local wildlife , look fornative optionslike wild pinkish silene ( S. caroliniana ) , royal campion ( S. regia ) , fire pink silene ( S. virginica ) , or starry silene ( S. stellata ) .
How and When to Plant Silene
you could sow silene seeds instantly in the soil in the downslope or in the natural spring about 3 weeksbefore the last rime . To plant your seeds , moisten and loosen the top several inches of grunge . Press your seeds gently into the dirt but do not cover them as the seeds need sun for germination . Place your seed about 6 to 18 inches aside ( depending on species and projected mature size of it ) . If your soil is moist enough when you commence , you should not need to irrigate the seeds once planted . As the seeds germinate , keep the soil evenly moist but not slopped . Seedlings should egress in 2 to 3 weeks .
you could also plant glasshouse - spring up campion plants in the spring after the risk of frost has pass . Dig a hole in loosened soil that is slenderly wider , but no deeper than the works ’s solution ball . Place your catchfly plant life in the pickle and secure it by lightly tamp down the soil . Water well and keep the stain evenly moist until the plant is install .
Silene Care Tips
Silene is an eye - catch annual or recurrent that is relatively prosperous to sustain . program to replace repeated catchfly in your landscape painting every few years . repeated cultivar tend to fall flower output as they age .
Light
Most campion coinage preferfull sun to partial shade . However , there are a few species , like starry campion ( S. stellata ) that opt partial tone . These silene plant become pallid or chicken when grown in full sunlight . In warm climates ( zones 7 and above ) , nearly all silene species come better with afternoon shade .
Soil and Water
Ideal land conditions are pendent upon species , but most silene plant life do best in moist , well - drained soilswith a electroneutral or alkaline pH. There are a few campion mintage ( particularly those native to the rough slopes and bluff of central and eastern United States ) that prefer ironic to medium - moist well - drained sandy or softly loamy soils . Either way , well - drained soil is essential . Silene suffers and dies out in wet locations .
New silene plant may postulate auxiliary water while getting established , but just enough to keep the land equally moist . Otherwise , campion is drouth patient of . So , allow the soil dry out between waterings .
Temperature and Humidity
campion does not fare well in red-hot , humid clime . While temperature requirement variegate among species , most opt temperate temperatures between 50˚ and 75˚ Fahrenheit . When the temperature drops , flowering may slow or stop . Over the wintertime , annual plant will die and recurrent silene flora will go dormant .
Fertilizer
campion does not require fertilizer , but if you sense your grease is not nutrient - rich enough , incorporate a picayune compostinto the gob when planting , dividing , or transplanting . or else , you’re able to add a bit of granulate fertilizer at the beginning of the blossom time of year .
Pruning
The pruning process for campion count on the specie . With most silene , you candeadhead spent blossomsthroughout the summer to encourage more flowers and prevent ego - seeding . Once flowering is finish , you could rationalize back or mow over the plants if you opt a goodish flavor . This is not , however , a necessary step . Even without pruning , perennial plant will take back and annual plant life will ego - seed and germinate novel plants in the spring .
Potting and Repotting
Silene works attractively in container and it requires little extra care than for those grown in the ground . Choose a expectant container ( at least 12 inches panoptic and mystifying ) with excellent drain and fill it with a moist , well - drain neutral to alkaline potting mixture . roughly 3 calendar week before the last Robert Frost , sow several seeds on the open of the soil , press them in just slimly . Keep your container in a sunny location with tax shelter from the harshest afternoon rays . Keep the soil equally moist ( but not smashed ) as the seeds evolve . Once the seedlings emerge , thin them to about 6 inch apart , keeping only the most viable .
Repot or divide your silene plant ( in the late fall or early give ) every 2 to 3 years or when you see roots emerge from the drain yap . Usefresh potting mixin each container as you divide or move .
Pests and Problems
Despite its uncouth name ( campion ) silene has no serious disease or insect issues — although aphids andslugs may be problematicin some regions .
Types of Silene
Rose Campion
Rose silene ( Silene coronaria ) is a short - live perennial ( and sometimes two-year ) that is often let in in the genusLychnis . It is native to southeastern Europe but has been tame in the United States . It bears woolly , silvery - light-green foliage and small , vivid Battle of Magenta , pink , or white - imbue flowers in zona 4 - 10 . Rose catchfly readily self - seeds and has the potentiality to become invasive if not managed or contained .
Starry Campion
Starry campion ( Silene stellata ) is a wild flower aboriginal to the copse , hayfield , and prairie of the easterly and central United States . It grows about 1 to 3 feet tall and bear fringe , star - like flowers for several calendar week in the summertime . It is grown as a perennial in zones 5 - 8 and self - seed at a gentle pace .
Royal Catchfly
Royal lychnis ( Silene regia ) has 2 - column inch - wide-eyed impassioned scarlet flowers in summertime on stems that may reach 4 feet tall . The foliage is downy and handle with fine hairs . It is beloved by pollinator and an fantabulous alternative for prairie gardens , pollinator gardens , and native works gardens in Zones 4–7 .
‘Clifford Moor’ Catchfly
' Clifford Moor ' catchfly ( Silene dioica ) provide pinkish flower in other summer over variegated leave-taking with dark light-green centers and wide gold margin . This cultivar opt cheery locations and flaxen , fairly dry soils with excellent drainage in zones 5–8 . It is an splendid choice for rock gardens , especially in areas where it cause a little afternoon shade .
Companion Plants for Silene
Black-Eyed Susan
Black - eyed Susanmakes a sunny companion for campion in zone 3 - 10 . The native Midwest flowering works also favour moist to dry well - drain land and are perfectly at home in butterfly gardens , beds , borders , mass plantings , and containers .
Coneflower
Coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea ) is a bungalow and wild flower garden favorite with big daisy - like flowers that bloom from summertime to fall . coneflower are unfussy about soil ( but do n’t like things too stiff ) and they accommodate to a wide range of climate in zones 3 - 9 . They can also stick out more Dominicus exposure than most silene plants , so post them at the sunnier border of your garden game .
Sea Holly
ocean hollythrives in challenging spots — like blistering , gay , teetotal , sites and sandy soils . It ’s also a favorite among butterflies , doll , and bee . The arresting steely - blue thistlelike efflorescence heads last a tenacious time and add texture to any garden ( zones 4 - 8) with ironic , poor grunge . As with catchfly , sea holly ’s corking weakness is too much water . keep off overwatering ( or watering at all ) and your sea holly should fare just okay .
Frequently Asked Questions
Silene is not officially classified as invasive , but there are non - aboriginal species — like bloodless campion ( Silene latifolia ) and mellisonant William catchfly ( silene armeria)—that have escaped cultivation and naturalized in several North American states and provinces . These non - native plants are view noxious gage as they can spread sharply and crowd out native plants and wildlife .
Yes . Deer and rabbits tend to obviate silene because of its addled or sticky leafage .
Yes . Silene is a low - maintenance flora that has few weewee necessary . So , it makes an excellent add-on toxeriscape gardens . It ’s also a honorable selection for stone , crushed rock , or slope gardens where water is less approachable .
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Credit: Clint Farlinger
Credit: Perry L. Struse
Credit: Greg Ryan
