Silene

There are many hundreds of forms of these plants. Some varieties will be found growing wild and many of the cultivated forms have retained the simple charm of a wild plant. The open faces of the flowers are often backed by an attractive swollen shape - this is the calyx. Dwarf forms make foliage mats, and the flowers can look oversized against the modest form of the foliage. The sea campion, Silene uniflora, is found growing wild near the sea, and there are a number of pretty cultivars. On a larger scale, the red campion Silene dioica is a common wild plant in warmer parts of the country, and again there are cultivated forms. Beyond these simple wild plants are a whole range of desirable forms that include varieties with variegated foliage. The flowers of Silene come in shades of white, pink and red, as well as purplish tones. They flower from spring but many forms continue well into summer. Taller forms can be up to 90cm in height, many hug the ground.