Rose Campion is an easy care plant that blooms for at least 5-6 weeks (mid-May through late June) in my zone 6b in southern Indiana. It will bloom in complete shade, but does better with some sun. The plant does not over-winter here, but it self seeds easily, so I like to let some of it go to seed and collect it so I can spread the seed where I want it to grow. It may be considered invasive by some if allowed to go to seed. However, it is very easy to pull up if it grows in a spot you don't want it and is easy to cut back before it goes to seed if that becomes an issue.

Reply to this comment

Reportedly they do not survive harsh winters after flowering, but that is not a problem for me here. I find they readily self-seed in my garden, so I have plenty of volunteers, pulling them out where I don't want them.
Deadhead on a regular basis to encourage continuous flowering and control self-seeding or shear after the initial flowering to promote a second flush of flowers later in the season.

Reply to this comment

This biennial readily self-seeds itself over its long bloom period. Deadheading weekly by snipping off spent blooms and letting them drop to the ground is effective. Or, the entire plant can be cut back to the basal growth after the primary flush of bloom (losing some of the bloom). If it tends to become leggy in your garden, cut it back by half when it has reached 12-15" or pinch at 6" for a shorter and sturdier display. Susceptible to root rot and may not over-winter if the soil is not well-draining.

Reply to this comment

Drainage seems to be key for perennialization. In central Ohio (zone 6) it has survived several winters in a berm of sand over the local limestone clay. Blooms are tall and rangy, but foliage is consistently neat and evergreen after they are cut back.

Reply to this comment

Rose Campion (Silene coronaria) produces brilliant magenta-red blossoms from early to late summer. In my zone 7a garden, it thrives in direct sun from dawn till dusk. A short-lived perennial, Rose Campion stays in the garden through self-seeding. Deadhead for continuous bloom, or leave seedheads in place for volunteers the following spring. The bright magenta flowers and silvery green foliage provide excellent contrast for the garden.

Reply to this comment

"Silene coronaria is a species of flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae, native to Asia and Europe. Common names include rose campion, dusty miller (this also refers to Centaurea cineraria and Jacobaea maritima), mullein-pink and bloody William.

In the United Kingdom it is still widely referenced under its synonym Lychnis coronaria.

It is a perennial growing to 31 inches tall by 18 inches wide, with grey felted leaves and single, bright magenta flowers produced in succession in late summer. Though short-lived, the plant readily self-seeds in favourable locations. It is sometimes grown as a biennial. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit."

Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...

Reply to this comment