Silene

Family. Caryophyllaceae.

Origin. Mediterranean.

Description. Silene is a perennial or biennial plant with thin, erect, less often drooping, sometimes branching stems. The leaves are green, broadly lanceolate, 4–9 cm long, arranged oppositely, in pairs. The species is dioecious - male and female flowers are located on different specimens. The buds are white, pink or red, with 5 petals, about 2 cm in diameter, appear at the tops of the stems.

Height. From 30 to 90 cm, depending on the type.

Planting and care

Growing from seeds 

Propagated by seeds or stem cuttings. Fresh seeds can be sown in spring. Shoots appear within 2 - 4 weeks.

Caring 

An unpretentious flowering bush that adapts well to a variety of living conditions. In perennial species, the center of the plant becomes bare with age, so after flowering it is worth carrying out rejuvenating pruning.

Containment temperature

Adapts well to a wide range of temperature conditions and tolerates short-term frosts. A cool dormant period is required during the winter months. 

Lighting

Place the pot with plants in a well-lit place, however, shade it from direct sunlight.

Soil

Silene can be grown successfully in most soil types, preferably with a neutral or alkaline pH.

Fertilizer

During the growth period, feed with water-soluble fertilizers for flowering plants. In autumn and winter, feeding is stopped. 

When it blooms

Flowering is very long, often occurring throughout the summer.

Spraying

If the air in the room becomes too dry, use a humidifier. If necessary, spray the shoots and leaves with room temperature water in the morning.

Watering

Watering should be plentiful during the growing season. In autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced in accordance with the ambient temperature. 

Transplanting

Silene does not like frequent transplants and if the root system is damaged, it takes a long time to recover. Transplantation is carried out only if necessary, in the spring; it is advisable to transfer the plants along with a lump of earth. 

Pests and diseases

Mealybugs, aphids. When grown in open ground, slugs and snails may appear.

Purpose

A beautiful flowering plant, creeping varieties can be grown in hanging baskets. 

Note

As the plant ages, the lower portion of the stems may become bare and lose their attractiveness.

Varieties:

Silene vulgaris

A perennial herbaceous plant from 30 to 45 cm in height with erect, thin, geniculate stems. The leaves are green, narrow, linear, entire, arranged in opposite pairs. The peduncles are thin, slightly curved, bearing several attractive white flowers up to 1 cm in diameter with fused petals. 

Silene nutans

A herbaceous plant that forms a rosette of dark green oblong leaves up to 7.5 cm long. Peduncles are thin, vertical, pubescent, from 25 to 80 cm high. The flowers are white, drooping, up to 1 cm in diameter. An interesting feature of the plant is its white or pinkish petals, divided in half. 

Silene acaulis

An attractive herbaceous perennial groundcover with short, branching stems at the base. The leaves are green, narrow, linear, glossy. As the plants age, they form a dense grass mat. The flowers are pink or white, with 5 oblong petals.

Silene tomentosa

Perennial herbaceous plants up to 40 cm high, form a basal leaf rosette of oblong, matte, green, soft leaves. During the flowering period, the bushes form tall thin peduncles with opposite, linear leaves. The flowers are attractive, fragrant, pink, lilac or white. The flower petals have deep slits in the middle. 

Silene capensis

Perennial herbaceous plants with erect shoots abundantly branched at the base. The bushes form a basal rosette of long, narrowly lanceolate leaves. On the stems, the leaves are already arranged in opposite pairs, have an oblong shape, the leaf blades are bent along the central vein. The flowers are white, fragrant, with 5 cut petals. 

Silene stenophylla

Herbaceous compact plants with velvety, narrow, linear, entire, dark green or bluish green leaves. The peduncles are thin, vertical, reaching 10 - 25 cm, bearing at the top several delicate, white flowers with gracefully carved petals. 

Silene pendula

A fast-growing herbaceous perennial 10 - 25 cm high with thin stems abundantly branched at the base. The leaves are green, matte, opposite. Flowers appear in the summer months on tall, erect stalks. The flower petals are cut in the middle and have a lilac or pinkish tint. Flowering is very abundant and long lasting. 

Silene schafta

Compact herbaceous perennials up to 10 - 15 cm high, which can be used as ground cover plants. The leaves are oblong, green or bluish-green, slightly bent along the central vein. The flower stems are pubescent, vertical, thin, bearing opposite narrow leaves. At the top of the flower stalks are several attractive pink or lilac flowers. 

Silene armeria

Herbaceous perennials with erect, branched shoots. A small leaf rosette forms at the base of the plant, which dies by the end of summer. On the stems, bluish-green, oblong-oval or spear-shaped sessile leaves up to 7 cm long are located in pairs. At the end of summer, the plant adorns itself with numerous bright pink, lilac or red flowers, collected in inflorescences - apical umbrellas. 

Silene maritima

The plant is a perennial, herbaceous plant up to 30 cm high, forms a basal rosette of oblong, bluish-green leaves. The peduncles are thin, often lying down under the weight of the buds, slightly pubescent, bearing small lanceolate leaves arranged in pairs. The flowers are attractive, funnel-shaped, with wide white petals, reach 3 cm in diameter, appear in the second half of summer - early autumn. 

Silene alpestris

Compact herbaceous perennials that can be used as ground cover. They form a small rosette of oblong, green leaves. Flower stems are erect, thin, abundantly branched at the base of the plant. The flowers are small, delicate, white, with delicately carved petals.

Silene rupestris

A perennial herbaceous aerial plant with small, dark green, entire leaves and very thin, vertical peduncles. The flowers are fragrant, small, white, with oblong petals.