Red Campion (Silene Dioica) is a beautiful semi-evergreen perennial wildflower found in moist meadows. It produces clumps of downy leaves and profuse delicate pink flowers with a white throat. Its low maintenance appeal makes it a favorite of gardeners and its adaptability to full sun to partial shade makes it a great choice for beds and borders. It is also known as Adders Flower.
Family
Red Campion belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family of flowering plants.
Plant Type
Red Campion is a biennial plant, meaning it takes two years to complete its life cycle.
Mature Size
Red Campion grows to about 1-3 feet in height and about 1-3 feet in width.
Sun Exposure
Red Campion prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Red Campion prefers moist, well-drained soils, and they don’t like clay or sandy soils.
Soil pH
Red Campion can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels, but they prefer slightly acidic pH levels.
Bloom Time
Red Campion typically blooms in the summer months and lasts until the early fall.
Flower Color
The flowers of Red Campion are a beautiful delicate pink with a white throat.
Hardiness Zones
Red Campion is hardy in zones 4-9.
Native Area
Red Campion is native to Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia.
Meaning and Symbolism
Red Campion has been held in high regard for centuries. Its red color is associated with passion and strength, as well as a love and loyalty. In some traditions it’s seen as a symbol of long lasting and true love and strong unity in the couple.
The name “Red Campion” derives from the latin family name “BALSAMÍNACEAE”, which literally translates to “which explode” and references the characteristics of the seed to explode from the dry seed head.
History, Mythology, and Religious Significance
Red Campion is a flower with a rich and storied history. The ancient Greeks revered and saw these flowers as symbols of hope and thought that they had powerful restorative properties and gave them as gifts to bring good luck and wellbeing. In medieval times, it became a symbol of righteousness and innocence, as well as a messenger of true love and was believed to open hearts to new possibilities. In Christianity, Red Campion is said to represent rebirth and hope, and even today it is still a popular flower in weddings, representing the union of two people.
Flower Varieties and Their Defining Characteristics
Red Campion is a species of over 300 varieties. Also known as Catchfly and Silene, it is a genus of flowering plants. Here are a few key overviews of the different varieties of Silene Dioica:
- Silene dioica: This variety has a bell-shaped flower with white edges and a light pink center. The foliage is green with white hairs.
- Silene vulgaris: This variety has bright pink flowers with notched petals and its foliage is green, with red stems.
- Silene pendula: This variety has white flowers that hang downward and its foliage is light green.
- Silene conica: This variety has bright yellow flowers and its foliage is grey-green.
- Silene doris: This variety has white flowers and its foliage is deep green.
How to Plant
Red Campion is easy to propagate and can be planted directly in the garden or grown indoors in containers. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil, so make sure to add compost to the planting area. It likes sunlight but can also tolerate partial shade, so choose a spot accordingly. Cold hardy, it can survive temperatures down to around 20F. If you’re planting in the garden, space the Red Campion 18″ inches apart and add a layer of mulch for more insulation.
How to Pot and Repot
To pot Red Campion, first fill a pot with potting soil and water to make the soil moist. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole. Plant the Red Campion in the soil, making sure to leave some space between the edge of the pot and the seedling. Gently tamp down the soil around the plant and water it. When it’s time to repot, use a potting soil with perlite and small pieces of bark, and always repot in a larger container.
How to Prune
Red Campion can benefit from pruning in order to encourage fuller, bushier growth and more abundant blooms. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. To prune, use pruning sheers or scissors to trim off dead branches or any stunted or spindly growth. Cut back the stems to the desired shape, making sure to leave some foliage for the plant to continue to photosynthesize.
How to Propagate
Red Campion can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or division. To propagate from seed, sow the seeds in the spring in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist. In about two weeks, the seeds should germinate. Propagation from cuttings is a slightly more complicated method, but this allows you to produce exact clones of the original mother plant. To propagate by cuttings, take five- to six-inch cuttings in the late spring and early summer when the plant is actively growing. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone, plant in moist growing medium, and enclose in a plastic bag. In three to six weeks, the cutting should have rooted. To propagate by division, dig up the plant in the late fall and divide into sections. Replant each section with fresh soil, and the new sections will take root and begin to grow.
Common Pests and Diseases
Red Campion can be prone to some fungal and bacterial diseases, like powdery mildew, Blight, and Root Rot. To prevent disease, water the plants in the morning,making sure to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage and use a watering can or hose instead of a sprinkler. Keep the soil free of debris and weeds that might harbor fungal spores. If insects or other pests become a problem, try insecticidal soap or a microbial insecticide to treat the area.
Three Frequently Asked Questions about Silene Dioica
Q: How fast does Red Campion grow?
A: Red Campion is a fairly fast-growing plant, typically growing up to three feet in height and width in a single season.
Q: How much water does Red Campion need?
A: Red Campion prefers evenly moist soil, so it is best to water it about once a week, making sure that the soil does not dry out completely. If you’re in a drier climate, you may need to water more often.
Q: When should I trim Red Campion?
A: Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Use pruning shears or scissors to trim off dead branches or any stunted or spindly growth.
Table Factsheet
| Name | Plant Type |
|---|---|
| Red Campion | Biennial |
| Silene Dioica | Biennial |
| Family | Mature size |
| Caryophyllaceae | 1-3 feet |
| Sun Exposure | Soil Type |
| Full sun to part shade | Moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Bloom Time |
| Slightly acidic | Summer to early fall |
| Flower Color | Hardiness Zones |
| Delicate pink with white throat | 4-9 |
| Native Area | |
| Europe, North Africa, Central Asia |
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