Garden

Silene coronaria

A short-lived perennial with silvery, felted leaves and vivid rose-purple flowers.

Care notes by theboxerge Updated October 15, 2026

About this plant

Rose campion pairs vivid flowers with felted silver-grey leaves. It is a short-lived perennial or biennial, so a gap after an older plant declines may reflect its lifecycle rather than a failure of feeding.

Care at a glance

Light: Full sun or partial shade.
Watering: Water new plants until established; let the ground drain between waterings.
Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained soil.

Plan your care

Place it where the silver foliage can contrast with greener neighbours and where winter rain will not pool. It is a better fit for an open, draining bed than a permanently damp hollow.

Choose between deadheading for a longer tidy display and leaving a few seedheads for replacement plants. Seedlings should be kept only where they fit the planting plan; remove unwanted ones before they crowd smaller plants.

Growing tips

Check the base for healthy young growth before discarding a tired plant. Keep an eye on seedlings and young leaves for slugs, and avoid burying the crown under mulch.