Silene laciniata subsp. greggii

RHS Plant Profile

Gregg's Mexican campion

John Fielding

Synonyms

Silene laciniata var. greggii

Herbaceous Perennial

A semi-evergreen, clump-forming perennial up to 1.2m high with upright stems bearing rough, lance-shaped leaves to 10cm long and, in summer, clusters of reddish-orange, five-petalled, star-shaped flowers with each petal deeply divided into 4-6 lobes

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Chalk

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
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: No
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: S USA, N Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free