🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Young shoots and leaves are edible, cooked as a potherb. It has no significant medicinal or garden utility, but is a good pollinator attractant, particularly for long-tongued bees and moths. It is a nitrogen fixer, though not as potent as legumes. It is mainly grown for its attractive flowers in wildflower meadows and cottage gardens.
Permapeople description
A common wildflower with bright pink or red flowers, often found in woodlands and hedgerows.
Botanical description
Silene dioica is a herbaceous, flowering perennial plant, typically growing to a height of 30-90 cm (1-3 feet). The stems are hairy and branched. The leaves are opposite, oval to lanceolate, and also hairy. The flowers are typically bright pink to red, about 2-3 cm in diameter, and have five deeply notched petals. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants (dioecious). The calyx is tubular and hairy. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous seeds. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia, often found in damp meadows, woodland edges, and hedgerows.
Companion planting
Generally a good companion plant for wildflowers. Avoid planting near aggressive spreaders that will outcompete it. It attracts beneficial insects, which can benefit nearby plants. Its presence in meadows attracts pollinators for other plants as well.
Propagation methods
Propagation is typically achieved through seeds, which can be sown in spring or autumn. It can also be propagated through basal cuttings taken in spring or early summer. Division of established clumps is possible but less common.
History and traditions
Historically, Silene dioica has been used in traditional medicine as a vulnerary (wound healer) and to treat skin ailments, though it is not widely used today. The plant has been associated with folklore and mythology in various European cultures, often symbolizing love and passion due to its vibrant red color. It was also occasionally used as a soap substitute due to the saponins present in the plant.
Usage calendar
Flowering occurs from late spring to late summer (May to September). Seed collection is best done in late summer or autumn. Planting is recommended in spring or autumn. Pruning back after flowering can encourage a second flush of blooms.