Silene virginica

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Silene virginica

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Kemper Code: M370

Common Name: fire pink
Zone: 4 to 8
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Missouri Native: Yes
Native Range: Eastern North America
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: April - June Bloom Data
Bloom Color: Red
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium

Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers part shade and moist, sandy or clay soils. Requires excellent drainage.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Fire pink is a Missouri native wildflower which occurs on rocky wooded slopes, open woods and thickets primarily in the Ozark region of the State. A clump-forming perennial which grows 12-20" tall. Small clusters of scarlet red flowers (2" across) with five notched petals appear in spring atop long, slender stems. Narrow, lance-shaped leaves (to 4" long). Silene is in the same family as Lychnis and Dianthus.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Best in part shade areas of rock gardens, wildflower gardens, native plant gardens, cottage gardens or woodland gardens.