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Silene dioica (Red campion)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Silene dioica
Other names
Red campion, Adder's flower, Devil's flower, Hare's eye, Mother-die, Poor robin, Ragged jack, Red lychnis, Robins, Soliders, White soapwort
Genus
Silene Silene
Species
S. dioica - S. dioica is a mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial wildflower with ovate leaves and small clusters of purple-pink flowers on erect stems from late summer.
Silene dioica is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
Toxicity
Although no toxicity has been mentioned it does contain saponins: toxic substances which are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm.
Flower
Purplish-pink in Summer; Purplish-pink in Autumn
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
No pruning needed.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Silene dioica (Red campion) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Rock, Underplanting, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Best planted in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or light shade. Dislikes winter wet.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Silene dioica
Other names
Red campion, Adder's flower, Devil's flower, Hare's eye, Mother-die, Poor robin, Ragged jack, Red lychnis, Robins, Soliders, White soapwort
Genus
Silene Silene
Species
S. dioica - S. dioica is a mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial wildflower with ovate leaves and small clusters of purple-pink flowers on erect stems from late summer.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
Toxicity
Although no toxicity has been mentioned it does contain saponins: toxic substances which are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm.
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Colour
Flower
Purplish-pink in Summer; Purplish-pink in Autumn
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
No pruning needed.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Silene dioica (Red campion) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Rock, Underplanting, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Best planted in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or light shade. Dislikes winter wet.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Silene dioica
Red Campion
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