Overview

Lychnis coronaria 'Alba' is a bushy, mat-forming, tufted perennial in the genus Silene, part of the Caryophyllaceae family, with green or silvery-grey foliage. It typically grows around 0.8 metres tall and 0.45 metres wide. Lychnis coronaria 'Alba' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens and wildflower meadows. It is native to Southern Europe.

About

Lychnis coronaria 'Alba' is the white-flowering form of rose campion, a perennial in the Caryophyllaceae. It produces single white flowers in succession and carries grey, felted leaves, growing to about 80 cm tall by 45 cm wide. In the UK it flowers from June to September. Plants are typically short-lived but readily self-seed and are sometimes grown as biennials.

About the genus

Silene is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae. Containing between 500 and 900 species, it is the largest genus in the family. Common names include campion and catchfly.

Wikipedia contributors, "Silene", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Silene

In the garden

Lychnis coronaria 'Alba' belongs to the genus Silene and the family Caryophyllaceae and is the white-flowered cultivar of a species originating in Eurasia. The cultivar retains the species' grey, felted foliage and the habit of producing single flowers one after another; flowering in the UK runs from June to September. Plants are treated as short-lived perennials and are often grown as biennials where gardeners prefer to renew the display annually. Mature plants reach about 80 cm in height with a spread near 45 cm and will readily self-seed in locations they favour, which makes seedling management a practical consideration. Allowing a few volunteers to establish will maintain a succession of plants, while removing spent flowerheads will reduce unwanted spread. 'Lychnis coronaria 'Alba' suits informal planting where intermittent volunteers are acceptable; the cultivar has been recognised with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its reliable white blooms. For gardeners who value the white-flowered form, retaining seed-grown plants or sowing seed each year will preserve the cultivar's clear white flowers and the characteristic silvery foliage.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Silene

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Lychnis coronaria 'Alba' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Bushy, Mat-forming, Tufted

Foliage

Green or silvery-grey

Height

0.8 metres

Spread

0.45 metres

Suggested uses

Borders, Rock gardens, Wildflower meadows

Native to

Southern Europe

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Lychnis coronaria 'Alba'

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Tolerates poor soils and drought once established. Can self-seed readily.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming. Cut back after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth.

Propagation

Seed, Division, Basal cuttings

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions

More in the Silene genus

• 
  Lychnis chalcedonica (Hessenhof Form)Maltese Cross
• 
  Silene fimbriatafringed-flowered campion
• Silene aomorensis