About

A short-lived perennial, to around 75cm high in flower, with silvery woolly stems and leaves. Bright cerise-pink flowers are borne on slender branching stems from late spring 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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 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

Care notes

CultivationThrives in well-drained soil in full sun or part shade; not tolerant of winter wet
PruningDeadhead to encourage further flowers
PropagationPropagate by division of established clumps, or by basal softwood cuttings in spring. Flowers are sterile; this cultivar will not self-seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, aphids and cuckoo spit
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free