Silene caroliniana 'Short and Sweet' - wild pinks or catchfly
DESCRIPTION
wild pinks or catchfly
Silene caroliniana 'Short and Sweet'
Delightful, compact, and easy to grow, Silene caroliniana is an excellent choice for bright shade or full sun. It is covered in deep pink flowers in late spring. Very reliable for us through wet and dry seasons for three years now and in a cool spring it seems to bloom forever - one year we tracked 8 weeks of full bloom! A great native substitute for Dianthus, this Silene has a similar appearance and bloom time, but tolerates a wider variety of garden situations. Silene 'Short and Sweet' is a fantastic plant for naturalizing, yet it can hold its own as a specimen in a container or patio garden as well.
North Creek Unique™ - This unique assortment has been discovered or introduced to the trade and shared with the world by North Creek Nursery.
Benefits
- Long-lived, showy bloom
- Butterflies flock to it nectar filled bloom
- Hummingbirds love its color and nectar
- Perfect for grouping in the front of a garden
- Easy to grow and tolerates drier areas
- Outstanding in spring containers
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Silene caroliniana can be found in rocky, calcareous woods and outcrops from New Hampshire to Ohio, south to Alabama.
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
INTERESTING FACTS
Hummingbirds have virtually no sense of smell. The flowers that attract them have bright colors like red and most have little or no fragrance. They are vibrantly colored and nectar-filled to call hummingbirds for needed pollination duties.
GROWING TIPS
Silene caroliniana prefers full sun, part shade, or shade, though blooms are less numerous in shade. Soil should have average to good drainage and not be wet for extended periods. Though often found in limestone outcrops, S. caroliniana is not particular about pH.
Mature Size: 6-8in. Tall x 10-15in. Wide
Hardiness Zone: 4-7
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Full Shade
VIDEO
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American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose
Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:
- Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
- Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
- Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
- Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
- Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
- Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
- Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted
Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success
Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.
When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.
A Special Note About Exposure
Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download
Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download