Silene (Arkwrightii Group) 'Vesuvius'

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campion 'Vesuvius'

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Synonyms

Lychnis 'Vesuvius'
Lychnis × arkwrightii 'Vesuvius'

Herbaceous Perennial
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A short-lived perennial to 45cm high, with finely hairy, oval to lance-shaped green leaves strongly flushed with purple-bronze. Clusters of bright orange-red, star-shaped flowers with notched petals are borne on stiff, upright stems in early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or 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
Deciduous
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun; will benefit from midday shade in hotter areas

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division of established clumps, or by basal softwood cuttings in spring. Will self-seed in place, but seedlings may vary

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pinch out early in the season to keep compact and bushy; deadhead to encourage further flowers and to control seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, aphids and cuckoo spit

Diseases

Generally disease-free