CARE. Soil varies with the species (lime for the encrusted ones, which also tolerate more sun). Semishade, moist, but perfect drainage. A hot dry climate is bad for the alpines. Mossy varieties need heavier shade, richer soil, and are best moist.
PROPAGATION. Divisions of sets, cuttings, seeds (most varieties).
SPECIAL USES. Baskets, pots, dry-wall planting, containers, borders.
Silene Caryophyllaceae Campion, Catchfly
The perennials of this genus include some of our most colorful native plants (the flaming fire pink S. virginica, for example), all related to the garden pinks but each one having its own characteristics.
acaulis—cushion pink, moss campion—Dainty two-inch mossy tufts of needle-like leaves slowly increasing to clumps and having half-inch purple-red flowers all summer. (Provide gritty, limed soil.)
caroliniana (pennsylvanica)—wild pink—Sticky-fuzzy plant with slim four-inch evergreen leaves and pink flowers on six-inch stems (April-June). Native to Northeastern woods. Good in rocky spots. Has deep taproot so handle with care. Dig deep when dormant.
maritima—Sea campion—Slim, gray-blue leaves on trailing stems, making a mat four inches high with clusters of white flowers in June.
saxifraga—Tufts of knife-shaped leaves under summer flowers which are white inside, tinted green or red outside, on six-inch stems.
schafta—moss campion—Spreading mounds of silky-hairy leaves covered in August with rose or purple flowers on six-inch stems.