About
An upright perennial, to around 45cm high, with long, narrow, intense green basal leaves. Tall wiry stems bear double white flowers, with deeply cut, ragged petals and dark red calyces, from early to late summer.
About the genus
Silene can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous or evergreen perennials, with opposite, untoothed leaves and solitary or clustered flowers with 5, usually notched petals
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
CultivationThrives in a moist, moderately fertile soil in sun or part shade. Well suited to moist meadows or wild gardens
PruningDeadhead to prolong flowering or to prevent unwanted self-seeding
PropagationPropagate by seed, by division of established clumps, or by basal softwood cuttings in spring. May self-seed in place, but seedlings may vary
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, aphids and cuckoo spit
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free