Silene baccifera

RHS Plant Profile

berry catchfly

Other common names

berry-bearing campion, berry-bearing catchfly, berry-bearing chickweed

Synonyms

Cucubalus baccifer

Herbaceous Perennial

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A sprawling perennial wildflower, with slender, spreading stems and narrowly oval-shaped, slightly hairy green leaves. Slightly nodding, bell-shaped flowers, with a pale green outer casing and narrow, divided white petals, are produced in summer. Flowers are followed by round black berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–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: Spreading branched
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: Temperate Eurasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in moist but well-drained soil in part or dappled shade, but will tolerate a range of soils and positions. Ideal for woodland underplanting or wildflower meadows

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Banks and slopes

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free