Campion and Catchfly

Lychnis

Lychnis alpina ( Arctic Catchfly )
A short-lived, tufted perennial, reaching up to 9 x 8 inches in size, that is native to mountains from northern to central Europe.
It looks great in the rock garden.
The thick, lance-shaped leaves are deep green.
Up to 20 bright to deep pink flowers, up to 0.5 inches wide, are borne on dense heads up to 6 inches across, during late spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 1 to 6 in full sun to partial shade on acidic, very well drained soil. Propagation is from seed and it often self seeds.

* historical archive photo

Lychnis x arkwrightii
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on very well drained soil only. Propagation is from division.

'Scarlet O Hara'
A vigorous but compact perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1.7 x 1 feet.
The hairy, ovate leaves, up to 4 x 1.6 inches in size, are reddish at first, turning to deep purplish-green.
The striking, abundant, large, orange-red to scarlet-red flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne during early to mid summer. The flowers have toothed petals.

* photo taken on June 25 2014 in Elkridge, MD

* patent photo

'Vesuvius'
A compact perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2.5 x 2.2 feet.
The hairy, lance-shaped leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are reddish at first, turning to deep purplish-green.
The striking, large, orange-red to scarlet-red flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne during early to mid summer. The flowers have toothed petals.

Lychnis chalcedonica ( Maltese Cross )
A long-lived, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 3.5 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to eastern Europe east to Siberia, Mongolia and northwest China.
The ovate leaves, up to 5 x 2 inches, are mid-green.
The abundant, scarlet-red flowers, up to 1.3 inches across, are borne in dense rounded clusters of up to 50 all summer long if old flower clusters are deadheaded. Blooming may sometimes persist as late as mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil only. It is extremely cold hardy, thriving even in northern Alberta. Propagation is from division or seed. Plants will often repeat bloom during autumn if cut back to a foot in height after the first bloom.

* photos taken on July 10 2023 @ Collingwood Arboretum, Collingwood, ON

'Alba'
Reaches up to 2 feet, with larger flowers which are pure white.

* historic archive photo

'Rosea'
Rosy-pink flowers, otherwise identical to the species.

Lychnis cognata ( Orange Catchfly )
Also called Lychnis fulgens. A perennial, reaching up to 3.3 x 2 feet, that is native from Siberia to Kamchatka; south to Mongolia, northern China, Korea and Japan.
The sessile, ovate or oval leaves, up to 4 x 2 inches in size, are deep green.
The intense orange-red flowers, up to 2.5 inches across, are borne late spring to early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil only.
Propagation is from division or seed.

Lychnis coronaria ( Rose Campion )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 3.5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native from southeastern Europe to Turkestan. It has naturalized in much of Europe and in western North America both on the coast and in the Rocky Mountains. It has also naturalized in eastern North America from the north shore of Lake Superior to central Quebec to Nova Scotia; south to northern Louisiana to Georgia. It is usually found on roadsides, clearings and open woods in the wild.
The ovate leaves, up to 4 x 1.2 inches in size, woolly, silvery-gray.
The intense purplish-pink flowers, up to 1.6 inches across, are borne on clusters from early summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil only.
It is very tolerant of dry poor soil. Propagation is from division or seed. It is short-lived but will often self seed.

* photo taken on May 21 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 26 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 12 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 14 2016 in Tobermory, ON

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photos taken on June 6 2017 in Howard Co., MD

* video found on Youtube


'Abbotswood Rose'
Deep reddish-pink flowers.

'Alba'
White flowers, otherwise identical.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

'Oculata'
The flowers are white with a reddish-pink center. It is otherwise identical to the species.

Lychnis dioica ( Red Campion )
An upright perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.3 feet x 16 inches.
The foliage is hairy.
The reddish-pink to red-purple flowers, are borne from late spring to early autumn. The flowers have an inflated calyx.
The stems are whitish and hairy.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil only.
Propagation is from division or seed.

'Rubra'
Red flowers, otherwise identical.

Lychnis flos-cuculi ( Rugged Robin )
A very vigoroous, bushy perennial, reaching up to 2.5 x 3 feet, that is a widespread native of Eurasia ( from Iceland to Siberia; south to Spain to Greece to the Caucasus ).
The lance-shaped leaves are blue-green. The starry, red to pale-purple flowers, up to 1.5 inches wide, are borne on terminal cymes over a period lasting up to 6 weeks during late spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist, well drained soil only.
Propagation is from division.

'Albiflora'
White flowers, otherwise identical to species.

Lychnis flos-jovis ( Flower of Jove )
An upright perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 feet x 20 inches, that is native to mountainous parts of southern Europe.
The whitish hairy foliage forms a dense tuft.
The scarlet-red flowers, up to 0.4 inches across, are borne on rounded inflorescences, during early to mid summer. The flowers have an inflated calyx.
The stems are whitish and hairy.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on dry, well drained soil only.
Propagation is from division or seed.

* historical archive photo

'Alba'
Compact in habit, reaching a maximum height of 20 inches.
The flowers are white.

Lychnis x haageana ( Haage Campion )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 20 inches x 3 feet.
The ovate leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are mid-green.
The orange to scarlet-red flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne early to mid summer.
The petals are toothed.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil only.
Propagation is from division.It is short-lived and not expected to exceed 4 years.

'Lumina Bronze'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 1.3 x 1.3 feet in size.
The hairy foiage is deep bronze-red, turning to deep green.
The scarlet-red flowers, up to 2.5 inches wide, appear all summer long.
Hardy zones 5 to 7

* photo taken on Apr 24 2015 in Elkridge, MD

Lychnis 'Lipstick'
A moderate growing, sturdy, upright perennial, reaching up to 1.5 x 1.3 feet in 2 years, eventually to 2 feet in height. It has Japanese native Lychnis sieboldii in its parentage and is a long-lived perennial, to 10 years or more.
The foliage is deep bronzy-red. The elliptical leaves are up to 3 x 1.2 inches in size.
The intense orange-red flowers, up to 2 inches wide, are borne all summer than long.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun on well drained soil, it is drought tolerant. Deer resistant and also highly resistant to pests and diseases.

* photo taken on May 10 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 27 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 20 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 1 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 18 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 12 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 20 2019 in Columbia, MD

Lychnis miqueliana ( Japanese Woodland Catchfly )
A perennial, reaching up to 3.3 ( rarely over 1 ) feet, that is native to mountain woodlands in Japan.
The oblong leaves, up to 5.5 inches in length, are deep burgundy-red at first, turning to deep bronze-green.
The intense scarlet-red mid-summer flowers contrast nicely.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 ( protected site on 4 ) in full sun to partial shade ( partial shade preferred where summers are hot ) on just about any light, moist well drained soil. It does not enjoy extremely hot humid summers and will go dormant during summer if drought occurs. Propagation from seed is easy and it will often self sow but not invasively.

Lychnis viscaria ( German Catchfly )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3 ( rarely over 2 ) feet, that is native to Eurasia ( from the British Isles to Siberia; south to the Mediterranean to northern Turkey to central Asia ).
The grass-like, lance-shaped leaves, up to 4.8 inches in length, form a tufted clump.
The deep red, tubular-calyxed flowers, up to 1.2 inches across, form a dense inflorescence. The flowers are borne during late spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil only. It is tolerant of and even enjoys pure sand. Propagation is from division or seed.

'Alba'
White flowers, otherwise identical.

'Splendens Plena'
Deep greenn foliage and double, deep red flowers.

Silene ( Catchfly )

* photos of unknown internet source



Silene acaulis ( Moss Campion )
A low, mat-forming, groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 inches x 1.5 feet, that is native to Arctic and high mountain climate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. It is widespread in the North American Arctic, the European Arctic and Greenland. An isolated population has been found on the north shore of Lake Superior as well as on the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec and on Newfoundland. The dense cushion mounds of foliage generate temperatures much warmer than the surrounding environment when the sun is shining.
The small leaves are bright green.
The small, bright pink, very short-stemmed flowers are borne late spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 7 in full sun to partial shade on gravelly or sandy, very well drained soil.

* historical archive photo

'Mt Snowdon'
Low and mossy looking, reaching a maximum size of 3 inches x 1.5 feet.
The purplish-pink flowers are borne during early spring.
Hardy zones 2 to 6.

'Pink Pearl'
Compact in habit, with deep green foliage and abundant, soft pink flowers during late spring to early summer.

'Tatoosh'
Vigorous with a long bloom season lasting for months.

Silene alpestris ( Alpine Catchfly )
A creeping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 1 foot. It is great for the rock garden.
The fringed, white flowers, up to 0.5 inches wide, are borne on loose clusters during late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

* historic archive photo

'Flore Plena'
Reaches up to 1 x 1 foot, with double white flowers.

Silene caroliniana ( Carolina Catchfly )
A low, mounding, semi-evergreen perennial, reaching up to 1 x 0.8 ( rarely over 0.5 ) feet, that looks alot like Creeping Phlox. It is native to the eastern U.S. ( Ohio to Massachusetts; south to central Alabama to South Carolina; with a separate range in central Missouri )
The oblanceolate leaves, up to 4 x 1.2 inches in size, are deep green.
The white to deep pink flowers, up to 1 inch wide, are borne during late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil including limestone barrens. Very alkaline soil tolerant as well as tolerant of drought, pure sand and rocky soil.

* photos taken on Apr 14 2017 @ Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Silene dioica ( Red Campion )
A clumping perennial, reaching up to 3 x 1.6 feet in size, that is a widespread native of open woodlands over most of Europe.
The obovate leaves are glossy deep green.
The bright pink flowers, up to 1 inch wide, are borne late spring to mid-summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, alkaline, well drained soil. Propagation is from seed or offshoots transplanted during early autumn.

'Clifford's Moore'
Reaches a maximum size of 2 x 2.5 feet with variegated foliage.

* photo taken on April 10 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 21 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 10 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 24 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Valley High'
Vigorous in habit, reaching up to 13 x 13 inches in 2 years.
The foliage that is bright green with a bold creamy-white margin. The oblanceolate leaves are up to 3.7 x 2 inches in size.
The abundant, rosy-pink flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne late spring into mid autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun on very well drained soil. Do not fertilize.

* patent photo

Silene 'Longwood'
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 10 inches.
The tiny, deeply-notched, pale pink flowers are borne in clusters during late spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

Silene maritima 'Swan Lake' ( Sea Campion )
A tufted, dwarf perennial, reaching up to 8 inches x 1.5 feet, that resembles Dianthus in appearance. It looks great trailing over a wall or used as edging.
The foliage is glossy gray-green.
The double white flowers, up to 0.7 inches wide, are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun on well drained soil. It is tolerant of seashore conditions.

* historic archive photo

Silene polypetala ( Eastern Fringed Catchfly )
Also called Silene catesbaei. A deep rooted, rhizomatous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1.4 x 3 feet, that is native from central Georgia to northern Florida where it is endangered with extinction due to habitat loss. It can live up to 7 years or more.
The paired, lance-shaped leaves, up to 3.5 inches in length, are green.
The white or pink, 5-petalled flowers are borne 3 to a cluster.
It thrives on moist, sandy loam in woodland conditions.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photos taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

Silene regia ( Royal Catchfly )
A perennial, reaching up to 5 x 2 feet, that is a rare native of prairies and open woodlands of the U.S. midwest ( southeast Kansas to northern Indiana to central Ohio; south to Oklahoma to northern Florida ). It is critically endangered in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Georgia; endangered in Ohio, Arkansas and Alabama; extinct in Kansas and Tennessee. The largest remaining populations exist in Missouri's Ozark Mountains.
The lance-shaped to ovate leaves, up to 5 x 2 inches in size, are luxuriant mid-green.
The very large, intense scarlet-red flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne all summer long. The flowers not only attract hummingbirds, they are a hummingbird magnet.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade preferring light, moist, well drained soil though it is drought tolerant once established.

* photos taken on July 19 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 1 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Prairie Fire'
A long-lived, vigorous form, reaching up to 3.5 x 0.9 feet in just 2 years, eventually larger.
It bears extra large, scarlet-red flowers, up to 2.5 inches across.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Silene 'Rolly's Favorite'
A fast growing, mounding perennial, reaching up to 20 inches x 2 feet.
The foliage is deep green. The oval leaves are up to 5 x 1.5 inches in size and are evergreen down to 15 F.
The deep pink, single flowers, up to 1 inches across, are borne mid spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil, including pure sand. It is drought tolerant and thrives in both cooler as well as hot humid summers. Deadhead to extend blooming.


* photos taken on Apr 10 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 13 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 26 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

* patent photo

Silene shafta 'Splendens'
A moderate growing, carpet-forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 12 x 16 inches. It looks great when used for edging. The species is native to mountains in northern Iran.
The foliage is bright green.
The abundant, rosy-pink, starry flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne mid-summer to mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade. It is easy to grow on very well drained soil.

Silene stellata ( Starry Campion )
An upright perennial, reaching up to 3.5 ( rarely over 2 ) feet in height, that is native to eastern North America ( from eastern South Dakota to central Minnesota to southern Michigan to western New York State to Massachusetts; south to central Oklahoma to eastern Texas to central Georgia ). It is great for naturalizing in woodlands.
The ovate leaves are up to 4 x 1.6 inches in size.
The white flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne early summer to early autumn.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil. It is drought tolerant.

Silene uniflora
A prostrate, mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial, reaching up to 8 x 8 inches. It looks great cascading over low walls. It is similar in appearance to some of the lower growing Dianthus which it is related.
The thick, fleshy, tiny, oval leaves are bright green.
The large, white flowers, up to 1 inch across, are borne during late spring and summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, acidic, well drained soil. Extremely hardy, it thrives in harsh climates, including Alberta, Canada

'Druett's Variegated'
Reaches a maximum size of 8 inches x 2 feet, with foliage that is variegated with a creamy-white margin.
The showy flowers are white.

* photos taken on May 14 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 21 2015 in Columbia, MD

'Swan Lake'
Reaches a maximum size of 6 x 16 inches, with large, white, double flowers but is otherwise similar to the species.

Silene virginica ( Fire Pink )
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 2 ( rarely over 1.5 ) feet, that is native to dry open woodlands in eastern North America ( from Minnesota to southern Ontario to New Jersey; south to Oklahoma to Georgia ). It is endangered in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and Florida. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was abundant on the Lake Erie islands and the Ohio shore during the 1800s.
Looks outstanding planted in groups of 3 or 5.
The low rosettes of leaves, up to 4 inches long, are evergreen.
The intense scarlet-red flowers, up to 1.5 inches wide, are borne late spring through summer.
The flowers attract Hummingbirds which are their primary pollinator.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on very well drained soil.

* photos of unknown internet source


* photo taken on June 10 2013 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 21 2014 @ Smithsonian Inst., Washington, DC

Silene vulgaris ( Bladder Campion )
A short-lived perennial, reaching up to 2.6 ( rarely over 2 ) feet in height, that is a widespread native to temperate regions of Europe. It has naturalized in North America from coastal Alaska to central Saskatchewan to Lake Nipigon to Newfoundland; south to northern California to Colorado to northern Georgia ). It is found in both open deciduous forests and clearings in the wild.
The ovate or oblong leaves are up to 3 x 1.2 inches in size.
The flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, range from white to red ( usually white ). They appear early summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 2 to 8.

* photos taken on July 14 2016 in Tobermory, ON

* photo taken on Jul 18 2017 @ Dominion Arboretum, Ottawa, ON

* photos taken on Aug 22 2021 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken on July 9 2022 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken on July 10 2023 @ Collingwood Arboretum, Collingwood, ON