• Eventual height: 0.8m
  • Eventual spread: 0.45m

Silene dioica

red campion

5 year guarantee Perfect for pollinators
approx 100 seeds £2.29
RH30004132
£6.99
RH30005446
£15.00
RH30007078
£41.94 £27.00
SD020001435
£2.29
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This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

  • Position: Partial shade
  • Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
  • Rate of growth: Average
  • Flowering period: May and July
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy


A dainty native wildflower with rose-pink flowers on upright stems in late spring and early summer. Red campion is perfect for naturalising in partially shady areas of a moist wildflower meadow or woodland edge. Commonly found growing in woods and hedgerows, in former times the pounded seed of the plant was used to treat snake bite.


  • Garden care:
    Dead-head regularly to prolong flowering. In autumn cut the faded flower-heads down to the ground and compost the dead stems.


  • Sowing instructions:
    For best results, sow in early autumn or spring. Start seeds indoors, from February, in trays or pots filled with moist compost, later transplanting the seedlings to a lightly shaded or sunny garden spot. Or, sow directly outdoors, from April, by scattering seed on the surface of a finely prepared seedbed, then lightly pressing down. Keep newly sown areas consistently watered and weeded. Thin young plants to a spacing of 30cm (12in) apart so they can fully develop. Direct sowings from August to October will overwinter to flower earlier the following year.


  • Sow: February to May or August to October
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