Growing Catchfly Silene Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Silene armeria
- Other Names: Catchfly, Wild Catchfly, Campion, None-So-Pretty, Sweet William Catchfly
- Seed Type: Annual
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Catchfly wildflower seeds can be sown directly outside 3 weeks before final frost date in spring. Seeds may also be sown in fall and will remain dormant until spring. For early blooming annuals, start Catchfly seeds indoors 8 – 10 weeks prior to final frost before transplanting. Germination will take 14 – 28 days with full light.
- Days to Maturity: 84 - 91 days
- Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9
- Planting Depth: Press 3 – 4 seeds into soil with covering
- Plant Spacing: 12"
- Growth Habit: 18 – 24” tall upright shrub with 12 – 16” spread stemming in ½” florets
- Soil Preference: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun – partial shade
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Catchfly wildflowers do not perform well in hot and humid summers. Avoid overwatering because plants will not perform well in wet and poorly-drained soil. And avoid overhead watering by watering soil directly to minimize moisture and wetting foliage which makes plants susceptible to crown rot, mold, and mildew.
- Color: Florets with shades of fuchsia, lavender, and pink with rich green foliage
Silene Catchfly wildflower seeds can be sown directly outside 3 weeks before final frost in spring. Silene seeds may also be sown in fall and will remain dormant for early spring color. For early blooming annuals, start Catchfly wildflower seeds indoors 8 – 10 weeks prior to final frost before transplanting. Germination will take 14 – 28 days with full light. For direct sowing, press Catchfly wildflower seed into soil without covering 12 – 16” apart in average, medium moisture, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Silene Catchfly wildflowers do not perform well in hot and humid summers. Do not overwater because silene plants will not perform well in wet and poorly-drained soil. Avoid overhead watering by watering soil directly to minimize moisture and wetting foliage which makes silene Catchfly susceptible to crown rot, mold, and mildew. Catchfly wildflowers have no serious pests or diseases and mature in 84 - 91 days as 18 – 24” tall upright shrubs with 12 – 16” spreads stemming in ½” fuchsia, lavender, and pink florets.
Silene armeria is native to the temperate climates of Europe but has been domesticated and widespread here in the United States since the 1800's. Silene is also commonly known throughout the world as Catchfly, Wild Catchfly, Campion, None-So-Pretty, and Sweet William Catchfly.