Often found in North American grasslands, silene is prized for its brilliant summer blossoms and maintenance-free growth habit.
Silene is a genus of approximately 900 flowering annuals and perennials, some native to the North American grasslands.
It lasts just one year but readily self-seeds to germinate new plants each spring.
Clint Farlinger.
Perennial silene, on the other hand, can return to the same spot year after year.
In these dry, sometimes inhospitable conditions, other plants may perish, but silene flourishes.
In favorable conditions, silene can become weedy.
Credit: P A Thompson / Getty Images
If unmanaged, some species may crowd out other plants.
To plant your seeds, moisten and loosen the top several inches of soil.
Press your seeds gently into the soil but do not cover them as the seeds need sunlight for germination.
Place your seeds about 6 to 18 inches apart (depending on species and projected mature size).
As the seeds germinate, keep the soil evenly moist but not wet.
Seedlings should emerge in 2 to 3 weeks.
Credit: Clint Farlinger
Dig a hole in loosened soil that is slightly wider, but no deeper than the plants root ball.
Place your silene plant in the hole and secure it by gently tamping down the soil.
Water well and keep the soil evenly moist until the plant is established.
Silene Care Tips
Silene is an eye-catching annual or perennial that is relatively easy to maintain.
Plan to replace perennial silene in your landscape every few years.
Perennial cultivars tend to decrease flower production as they age.
Credit: Perry L. Struse
Light
Most silene species preferfull sun to partial shade.
However, there are a few species, like starry campion (S. stellata) that prefer partial shade.
These silene plants become pale or yellow when grown in full sunlight.
Credit: Greg Ryan
In warmer climates (zones 7 and above), nearly all silene species fare better with afternoon shade.
Either way, well-drained soil is essential.
Silene suffers and dies out in wet locations.
Otherwise, silene is drought tolerant.
So, let the soil dry out between waterings.
Temperature and Humidity
Silene does not fare well in hot, humid climates.
While temperature requirements vary among species, most prefer moderate temperatures between 50 and 75 Fahrenheit.
When the temperature drops, flowering may slow or stop.
Over the winter, annual plants will die and perennial silene plants will go dormant.
Pruning
The pruning process for silene depends on the species.
With most silene, you candeadhead spent blossomsthroughout the summer to encourage more flowers and prevent self-seeding.
This is not, however, a necessary step.
Keep your container in a sunny location with shelter from the harshest afternoon rays.
Keep the soil evenly moist (but not wet) as the seeds germinate.
Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to about 6 inches apart, keeping only the most viable.
Usefresh potting mixin each container as you divide or move.
It is native to southeastern Europe but has been naturalized in the United States.
Rose campion readily self-seeds and has the potential to become invasive if not managed or contained.
It is grown as a perennial in zones 5-8 and self-seeds at a gentle pace.
The foliage is downy and covered with fine hairs.
This cultivar prefers sunny locations and sandy, somewhat dry soils with excellent drainage in zones 58.
It is an excellent choice for rock gardens, especially in areas where it gets a little afternoon shade.
Sea Holly
Sea hollythrives in challenging spotslike hot, sunny, dry, sites and sandy soils.
It’s also a favorite among butterflies, birds, and bees.
As with silene, sea holly’s greatest weakness is too much water.
Avoid overwatering (or watering at all) and your sea holly should fare just fine.
These non-native plants are considered noxious weeds as they can spread aggressively and crowd out native plants and wildlife.
Deer and rabbits tend to avoid silene because of its woolly or sticky foliage.
Silene is a low-maintenance plant that has few water requirements.
So, it makes an excellent addition toxeriscape gardens.
It’s also a good choice for rock, gravel, or slope gardens where water is less accessible.
