Rose campion Silene coronaria
Rose campion (Silene coronaria) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Caryophyllaceae family, native to South-eastern Europe to Central Asia. It grows 50–90 cm (20–35 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan Rose campion in your garden →
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Rose campion at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Caryophyllaceae |
| Mature height | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 8–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South-eastern Europe to Central Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Rose campion toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: all parts
Contains saponins; eating it may upset the stomach.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rose campion
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Rose campion
- How far apart should I plant Rose campion?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
- Does Rose campion need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rose campion need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Rose campion?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Rose campion flower?
- From about June for 8–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Rose campion poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Contains saponins; eating it may upset the stomach.
- What grows well with Rose campion?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rose campion. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- Long sold as Lychnis coronaria. Woolly, silver-white rosettes and vivid magenta flowers. Short-lived, but it seeds about freely in dry, sunny gravel; grown in English gardens for centuries.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Sweet William Dianthus barbatus
- Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus
- China pink Dianthus chinensis
- Snow-in-summer Cerastium tomentosum
- Moss campion Silene acaulis
- Soapwort (bouncing bet) Saponaria officinalis
- Rock soapwort Saponaria ocymoides
- Creeping baby’s breath Gypsophila repens