Silene vulgaris

RHS Plant Profile

bladder campion

RHS

Other common names

common bladder catchfly, cowbell, maiden's tears, ben, bird's eggs, bull rattle, cow pap, devil's rattlebox, frothy poppy, kiss-me-quick, rattle bay, snappers, spatling poppy, white ben, white bottle

Synonyms

Silene wallichiana
Silene cucubalus

Herbaceous Perennial

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A woody-based, upright, semi-evergreen perennial about 60-80cm tall, with oval greyish-green leaves, and lax sprays of white flowers 2.5cm wide, each with a balloon-like inflated calyx, opening in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Silene can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous or evergreen perennials, with opposite, untoothed leaves and solitary or clustered flowers with 5, usually notched petals
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Temp. Eurasia, Macaronesia, N Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or dappled shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down after flowers fade to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry soils