Silene × hampeana
hybrid campion
Overview
Silene x hampeana is the natural hybrid between red campion S. dioica and white campion S. latifolia, arising where the two grow together. It is a short-lived perennial or biennial forming a loose clump 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) tall, with branching, softly hairy stems. The leaves are oval to lance-shaped, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, hairy, and paired along the stems. Five-petaled flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across open from late spring through summer in shades of pale to deep pink, intermediate between the red flowers of one parent and the white of the other, each petal notched at the tip. Plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate individuals; the inflated calyx behind each flower is a parent trait. Flower color and form vary widely across hybrid plants. The hybrid is often partly fertile and backcrosses with both parents, so populations show a continuous range of colors. Lower foliage can mildew in crowded, humid conditions.
Native Range
A natural hybrid of European origin, found where its parent species overlap across much of Europe. Grows on roadsides, hedge banks, woodland edges, waste ground, and meadows in moist, fertile soils. Hybrid plants occur mixed with the two parents rather than in separate stands.Suggested Uses
Grown in cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and informal borders, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. The flowers draw bees, moths, and butterflies, and the self-seeding habit suits naturalistic plantings but can crowd formal beds. Combined with other meadow perennials for a long season of pink bloom.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Blooms from late spring into summer, roughly May to August, over a long season as side branches keep flowering. Individual plants are male or female, so seed forms only on female plants near a pollen source. Flowering tapers in late summer heat and resumes after cooler, wetter spells.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Water during dry spells, since the plant wilts and stops flowering in prolonged drought. It self-seeds freely where both sexes are present, producing variable seedlings that can spread through a border. Cut plants back after the first flush to limit seeding and encourage rebloom. Powdery mildew and leaf spot develop in crowded, humid sites with poor airflow. As a short-lived plant, it is renewed from seed or self-sown seedlings every 2-3 years.Pruning
Cut flowering stems back by half after the first main flush to reduce self-seeding and prompt a second round of bloom. Remove spent stems at the base in autumn or late winter. Deadheading individual flowers extends the display and limits seedling spread.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons