Silene caroliniana
Back to Previous Page
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: wild pink
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: Eastern & central North America
Height: 0.75 to 1 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought

Culture

Grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers sunny sites in dryish sandy or gravelly soils with some part afternoon shade. Requires excellent drainage. Plants are best left undisturbed once established.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Wild pink (sometimes also called Carolina campion) is a low, mounded wildflower which is native to eastern and central North America. It somewhat resembles woodland phlox. Loose clusters of rose-pink flowers with five spreading wedge-shaped petals appear in mid to late spring atop sticky flowering stems rising to 10" tall. Tufts of narrow, lance-shaped basal leaves (to 4" long) with smaller paired stem leaves. Silene caroliniana var. wherryi is native to Missouri in the central Ozark region.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Best in rock gardens. Also may be grown in border fronts and wildflower/native plant gardens.

Back to Previous Page