Silene stellata
starry campion
Overview
Silene stellata is an upright herbaceous perennial in the pink family, growing 1.5-3.5 feet (45-105 cm) tall and about 1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm) wide. Its most recognizable feature is the arrangement of leaves in whorls of four around the stem, each leaf lance-shaped and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. In mid to late summer, loose branched clusters of white flowers open at the stem tips; each flower has five deeply fringed petals cut into many narrow lobes, giving a starry, lacy outline about 0.75 inch (2 cm) across. An inflated, bell-shaped calyx sits behind each bloom. The plant grows from a slender taproot and forms an open, somewhat sprawling stem that may need support in rich soil. It occurs in dry to moist open woods, woodland edges, and prairies on well-drained soil. Flowers open toward evening and are pollinated mainly by moths. The seed capsules split at the top to release small seeds, and foliage dies back to the ground each winter.
Native Range
Silene stellata is native to eastern and central North America, from Massachusetts and Ontario south to Georgia and west to Nebraska and Texas. It grows in open woods, woodland edges, rocky slopes, and prairies on well-drained soil.Suggested Uses
Silene stellata is used in woodland gardens, native plant borders, and naturalized meadows on well-drained soil. Its evening-opening flowers suit moth and pollinator gardens, and it combines with other woodland-edge perennials and grasses. The airy flower clusters add light texture to informal plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 3'6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from July to September, peaking in August. Flowers open in the late afternoon and evening and are visited mainly by moths, along with some bees and butterflies during the day. Each loose cluster blooms over several weeks as new flowers open in sequence. The fringed white petals are most visible in low evening light.
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
Silene stellata grows in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil of average fertility, tolerating dry to moderately moist conditions. In rich soil or heavy shade the stems grow tall and lax and may flop without support. It needs only occasional watering once established and is fairly drought tolerant. The plant self-sows where soil is bare and can be grown from seed sown in autumn for cold stratification. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8 and dies back to the ground over winter. Crowns can be divided in spring, though the taproot makes division less reliable than seed.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Stems can be cut to the ground after they die back in late autumn. A cut of about one-third in early summer reduces height and flopping in rich soil.Pruning Schedule
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fall