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Herbaceous Perennial

Viscaria asterias

star campion

A deciduous perennial reaching 30cm. It forms a clump of silver-green leaves with a round head of dark pink-red and highly fragrant, flowers in summer

Synonyms

Silene asterias

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

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)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: A genus of low-growing flowering plants with thin, ovate green foliage and clusters of pretty pink, white or purple flowers on sticky, upright stems. A deep taproot makes this a genus which can survive drought conditions
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Balkans

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in good light

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Flower borders and beds
Cut flowers

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews

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