Alphabetical Plant Listing

Silene virginica (Fire Pink)

Fire Pink, Cliff Pink, Scarlet Catchfly


Glowing like embers, Silene virginica (Fire Pink) is a showy clump-forming perennial boasting long, lance-shaped, opposite leaves and brilliant clusters of scarlet red flowers. Blooming profusely from mid-spring to early summer, each flower, 2 in. across (5 cm), features five thin petals cleft at the tip, and sticky sepals. They are borne in loose clusters at the top of slender sticky stems. Rich in pollen, they attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This wildflower is short-lived, although it may self-sow in optimum growing conditions. It is an excellent accent plant for a shaded rock garden and a great addition to wildflower gardens, native plant gardens, woodland gardens, or cottage gardens.

  • Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 10-18 in. across (25-45 cm).
  • Pest and disease-free and low maintenance, this eye-catching beauty is also drought tolerant (once established).
  • Thrives in part shade in moderately fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Excellent drainage is essential and sandy or gravelly soils or light loams are favored by this plant. Tolerates full sun but best in partly sunny sites with afternoon shade.
  • Great for beds and borders, cottage gardens, or prairies and meadows.
  • Propagate by seed or cuttings. Divide mature plants in late fall or early spring by removing outer rosettes. 
  • Native to eastern North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Silene - Campions
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 10" – 2' (25cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" (45cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Clay Soil, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Agnieszka Bacal, Shutterstock, Chanticleer Garden

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Silene - Campions
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 10" – 2' (25cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" (45cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Clay Soil, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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