Description
A few years ago, I purchased and sowed seed of Silene laciniata, a southwestern species with red flowers. Once I saw the mats of blue-green foliage, though, and then the bright white summer flowers—each with a puffed-up, veined calyx—I figured out that I had received sea campion (Silene uniflora) instead. I didn’t mind too much, because I have really enjoyed growing it. The clumps reach just a few inches tall in leaf and are covered with blooms held on slender, lax stems. Total height in flower is about 6 inches. They aren’t too pleased with heavy, winter-wet soil—they much prefer loose, well-drained soil—but they might survive even that to flower again the following year. Apparently the plants tend to be short-lived even in ideal conditions but will self-sow. Overwintered plants usually start flowering in late spring and continue through midsummer. Self-sown or indoor-started seedlings can flower the first year, usually from mid or late summer into fall. The straight species isn’t often seen in gardens, so if you have a sunny, well-drained spot along a path, on top of a wall, in paving cracks, or in a rock-garden setting and would like to grow something a bit different, sea campion is worth a try. Full sun. Perennial; Zones 3 to 7.
Collected in late August to late September 2023. At least 15 seeds. Shipping to US addresses only.
Please read the germination information as well before ordering.
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