{"title":"Silene","description":"\u003cp\u003eSilene is a widespread genus of perennials native from Africa to America and from Mediterranean Europe to Asia. Being in the family Caryophyllaceae makes this perennial a first cousin to other popular garden plants such as lychnis and \u003ca title=\"Dianthus\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/dianthus\"\u003edianthus\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSilene flowers typically range from pink-to-red, including several white-flowered species. While they all have \u003ca title=\"Read more about butterfly attracting plants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/blogs\/articles\/butterfly-garden-plants-host-attract-butterflies\"\u003eflowers that attract butterflies\u003c\/a\u003e the red-flowered species are also hummingbird favorites. Although generally a small plant there are large-ish exceptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSilene (Catchfly) Growing Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMany catchfly plants are edge-of-the-woods plants suitable for an open garden spot or in a \u003ca title=\"Shop for Rock garden plants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/rock-garden-plants\"\u003erock garden\u003c\/a\u003e...as long as the soil is well-drained. Despite its dislike of wet feet when dormant, Silene will flower best if kept evenly watered during its growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilene Trivia\u003c\/strong\u003e: The genus \u003cem\u003eSilene\u003c\/em\u003e is also known as Catchfly because the somewhat sticky leaves tend to trap insects. Silene is not a true carnivorous plant, but may be on the evolutionary path to someday becoming carnivorous like the sticky-leaved Sundew. To learn more, read our \u003ca title=\"article about carnivorous plants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/blogs\/articles\/sarracenia-the-north-american-pitcher-plant\"\u003earticle about carnivorous plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"silene-regia","title":"Silene regia","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you haven't tried \u003ca title=\"royal catchfly\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/products\/silene-regia\"\u003eroyal catchfly\u003c\/a\u003e, Silene regia, you have missed one of the truly great eastern US natives. Silene regia has a limited and scattered range from Illinois south to Florida in mostly prairie habitats. Emerging from a basal rosette, the tight clump of flowering stems shoot upward to 2.5-4' tall, clothed to the top with long smooth green leaves. In June\/July, the sticky stalks (which actually catch insects) are topped with terminal inflorescences of hundreds of exquisite 5-petaled screaming hot orange-red flowers. We have found Silene regia quite easy to grow in a variety of decently-drained soils. Royal catchfly has high shock value in the perennial border and is a favorite of hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies, and gardeners of all persuasions.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRoyal Catchfly requires little more maintenance than cutting the spent flower stalks to the ground when they are no longer attractive. This could be any time between as soon as it is done blooming in late summer or in spring before new growth starts. Sprinkle the seed about the garden or collect them and sow them in a pot if more plants are desired.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRoyal Catchfly is easily grown in full sun to part sun in average soil. Avoid soggy soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarden Value: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a showy plant blooming for several months in midsummer. The flowers are very similar to its well-known, close cousin Fire Pink (Silene virginica). Both are 5 petaled scarlet stars but those of the Royal Catchfly are produced atop 4' tall stems. It is a very slender plant, perhaps only 12 to 18\" tall despite its 4' height so it can be tucked amongst many other plants. Hummingbirds and other pollinators will visit the flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatural Impact:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a rare native that is easily grown in gardens so growing it can aid in preventing its extinction. Grow additional plants from seed and plant more in your garden and share with other gardeners and gardens. Growing it will also support pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21025100037,"sku":"3032","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Silene-regia.i-3032.s-66747.r-1.jpg?v=1790707888"},{"product_id":"silene-virginica-jackson-valentine","title":"Silene virginica Jackson Valentine","description":"\u003cp\u003eEvery now and then a selection of a familiar plant comes along that makes you say words which aren't appropriate for polite company. One such plant is the Southeast US native, Silene virginica 'Jackson Valentine'. We've grown Silene virginica through the years and it's nice, although finicky, short-lived, and not exactly a WOW plant. Well, that all changed with Silene 'Jackson Valentine'. Our plant was shared by Alabama nurseryman, Maarten van der Giessen, whose wife, Colleen Keleher, found it on Salt Mountain near Jackson, Alabama. For us, Silene virginica 'Jackson Valentine' makes a compact basal rosette of linear green leaves, topped in midsummer with dozens of 1' tall stalks of starry-shaped coral-red flowers. Despite the short-lived nature of typical Silene virginica, our four-year-old clumps of Silene 'Jackson Valentine' are still prospering. We think a botanical study will determine this to actually be a new silene species.\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21026423109,"sku":"5070","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Silene-virginica-Jackson-Valentine.i-5070.s-68225.r-1_12ec70ab-463a-45a8-8aa1-3dc4ff214cd9.jpg?v=1790784154"},{"product_id":"silene-caroliniana-show-me","title":"Silene caroliniana Show Me","description":"\u003cp\u003eSilene caroliniana, which hails from Vermont south to Florida and west to Missouri, is one of the finest native rock garden plants we've ever grown. We are pleased to offer a superb clonal selection from Missouri as our 2026 Plant Delights\/JLBG introduction. Silene 'Show Me' forms an 8\" tall x 15\" wide, dense mass of rosettes, composed of glossy, narrow green leaves. In mid-April (NC), the foliage is completely obscured by the show of dark pink flowers. Sticky catchfly is a horticultural loner, preferring not to be near neighbors, especially more aggressive ones. A dry, sunny, well-drained site is the key to success.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42450442125399,"sku":"14702","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Silene-caroliniana-Show-Me.i-14702.s-68355.r-1_c82f1b92-cf95-4748-a78e-d233ce036db4.jpg?v=1780922419"},{"product_id":"silene-virginica-forged-by-fire-pp-36247","title":"Silene virginica Forged by Fire PP 36247","description":"\u003cp\u003e(aka: Silene virginica Sil005) Silene 'Forged by Fire' is a stunning new Dutch mutation of our 2015 introduction, Silene virginica 'Jackson Valentine'. This new sport has darker green foliage, is slightly taller, and produces far more flower stalks, usually starting for us in mid-April. The best growth on this compact, rock garden-sized perennial is in a couple of hours of morning sun, and a well-drained, fairly dry site.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWatch our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TS2Cg9KS7Ig\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePlant Spotlight\u003c\/a\u003e video for more information. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42450496979031,"sku":"18890","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Silene-virginica-Forged-by-Fire-PP-36247.i-18890.s-68356.r-1_39de992f-7160-452f-b151-04f941551c63.jpg?v=1790098193"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/Silene-virginica-Jackson-Valentine-1900x350.jpg?v=1688587899","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/silene.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}