Heliosperma alpestre 'Starry Dreams'

RHS Plant Profile

alpine catchfly 'Starry Dreams'

Synonyms

Silene alpestris 'Starry Dreams'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A dainty, nearly-evergreen alpine reaching approximately 20cm in height. It forms a mat of green leaves with a cloud of bright, white flowers on slender, wiry stems over many months

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

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): H5

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, Matforming
Genus: A genus of compact, mat-forming flowering alpine perennials, native to mountain ranges in Western Europe. Low-growing, branching green stems produce lance-shaped dark green foliage. Small, fragrant white star-shaped flowers appear in early summer
Name Status: Accepted

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

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews