Silene
( sye - LEEN - ee )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of small annuals and perennials are great for fronting borders or for rock gardens. They require full sun to partial shade and have varying water needs. Their bright flowers will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. Species have a wide global distribution, but are more concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. Plant these flowering plants in cottage or informal gardens, in mixed beds or borders, and in container gardens. Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as some species may be toxic to humans and pets when consumed in large quantities.
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Silene Species and Varietals
The genus Silene is a member of the plant family Caryophylaceae and includes around 900 distinctive species. The best growing zones for Silene vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Silene acaulis (Cushion Pink, Moss Campion, Compass Plant) This species does well in zones A1-A3, 1-11, 14-16 and 18-21, and is a perennial. It is native to the Arctic regions as well as the mountains of North America and Eurasia. It forms a small, mossy mat 2 inches tall and 8 inches wide, and has green leaves. Flowers are reddish purple and bloom in early springtime. Great for planting in a gravelly but moist spot in the garden. This species needs regular water for best performance. |
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Silene baccifera These interesting plants are native to Europe, and has naturalized in temperate regions of Asia and northern Africa. Flowers are green and cup-shaped with recurved greenish-white petals. |
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Silene californica (California Indian Pink) This perennial species grows well in zones 3, 6-9, and 14-24 and is native to - you guessed it - California! It has a loose branching structure and reaches a foot tall and just as wide. Flowers are red and bloom in springtime. Leaves are greyish green and hairy. Needs excellent drainage; somewhat drought tolerant. |
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Silene chalcedonica (Lychnis chalcedonica) (Maltese Cross, Scarlet Lychnis, Flower of Bristol, Jerusalem Cross, Nonesuch) These popular ornamental plants produce striking heads of bright red flowers. These perennials reach between 14 and 40 inches tall when in bloom, and have simple leaves. Flowers are held in dense clusters of between 10 and 50 blooms. Cultivars have flowers in orange, pink, or white. |
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Silene coeli-rosa (Lychnis coeli-rasa, Agrostemma coeli-rosa) (Viscaria) This species of Silene is native to the Mediterranean and grows in all zones as an annual. It reaches a foot tall and half as wide, and has grey-green foliage and forms loose clusters of flowers. Bloom time depends on planting time (if sown in early spring, they will bloom in summer, and if sown in fall, they will bloom in winter and spring). Flowers come in blue, lavender, pink, or white and often have contrasting-colored eyes. This species makes a great cut flower, and needs regular water for best performance. |
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Silene coronaria (Lychnis coronaria) (Rose Campion, Dusty Miller, Mullein-Pink, Bloody William) These perennial flowering plants reach about 30 inches tall when in bloom, and stretch to 18 inches wide. This species is native to Eurasia, and produces bright pink to magenta flowers in July. They are short-lived plants, but reseed freely in favorable locations. They are sometimes grown as biennials in the garden. |
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Silene gallica (Common Catchfly, Small-Flowered Catchfly, Windmill Pink) These plants are native to Eurasia and North Africa, and have naturalized in many temperate areas of the globe as a common roadside weed. They are erect to semi-erect plants reaching 20 inches tall at maturity when in bloom. Flowers are white, red, pink or bicolored and have five petals. |
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Silene hookeri (Hooker's Silene, Hooker's Catchfly, Hooker's Indian Pink, Hooker's Glandular Campion) Native to coastal and inland mountain ranges in Oregon and northwestern California, these plants prefer growing in woodland and forested landscapes in sandy and rocky soils. They are stout perennials reaching 8 inches tall when in bloom. Foliage is green. |
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Silene italica (Italian Catchfly, Italiensk Limurt, Italienisches Liemkraut) These plants are native to southern Europe and some parts of Asia. It is an introduced plant in the United States and northern Europe. Individual plants reach between 16 and 32 inches tall and produce pink, white, or yellow flowers. |
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Silene laciniata (Friged Indian Pink, Cardinal Catchfly, Mexican Campion, Mexican-Pink, Campion) Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, this species produces bright red flowers with fringed petals. Flowering stems are branching and sticky. Leaves are lance-shaped and are larger towards the base of the plant. |
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Silene noctiflora (Night-Flowering Catchfly, Nightflowering Silene, Clammy Cockle) These plants, native to Eurasia, have spread to many areas of the globe, and are sometimes considered weeds. Foliage is sticky and green, and plants reach between 27 and 32 inches. Blooms can be white to pink. Plants produce a strong fragrance at night when blooms open. |
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Silene nutans (Nottingham Catchfly) These plants are branching and woody, forming from a thick taproot, They reach between 10 and 31 inches tall when in bloom, and produce green foliage. Flowers are white or pinkish and form on drooping stalks. |
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Silene parishii (Parish's Catchfly) Endemic to southern California, these plants prefer to grow in rocky, forested habitats in mountainous areas. Plants form perennial herbs and reach between 4 and 16 inches tall when in bloom. Sticky foliage is green, thick and leathery. Flowers are light yellow and petals are fringed. |
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Silene schafta (Moss Campion, Autumn Catchfly, Caucasian Campion) This species of Silene is a perennial and grows best in zones 2-9, 14-16 and 18-21. It is native to western Asia and forms a small tuft of foliage 6-12 inches tall and a foot wide. Leaves are bright green and flowers are rose-purple and bloom from late summer through fall. This species needs moderate water. |
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Silene uniflora (Silene vulgaris maritima) (Sea Campion) This perennial species of Silene grows well in zones 1-9 and 14-24, and is native to the northwestern coastal regions of Europe. It forms a grey-green cushion 6 inches tall and 8 inches wide, Summertime flowers are white, almost completely encased in a balloon-like calyx. Needs moderate water. |
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Silene verecunda (San Francisco Campion) These extremely variable plants are typically perenial herbs that reach between 4 and 20 inches tall. Foliage and stems are hairy and sticky. Leaves are green and variable in size. Flowers are pink to white, encapsulated in a tubular calyx of fused, veined sepals. This species is native to California, Nevada, Utah, and Baja California. It prefers to grow in coastal or mountainous environments in chaparral, woodland, and meadow landscapes. |
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Silene vulgaris (Bladder Campion, Maidenstears) These wildflowers are native to Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa. They have widely naturalized in North America, as well. Individual plants reach about 3 feet tall, and produces green foliage and white flowers. Leaves of these plants can be eaten fresh or cooked, and are typically added to salads, boiled, or fried. |
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Caring for Silene
Silene prefers to be planted in well-draining soil.
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
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A field of thea sinensis
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Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'
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Videos
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A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 604, Silene
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