Scarlet Catchfly Silene virginica

Fire Pink is a short-lived, herbaceous perennial that may grow 2 to 3 feet tall and has hairy, sticky stems. The majority of leaves originate at the base of the stem and have 2 to 8 pairs of stem leaves. Each stem terminates in a cyme of 3 to 10 scarlet flowers that are five-petaled and notched on the tips. They bloom from late May to early July. The plant is a member of the Caryophyllaceae family that includes carnations and pinks.

Fire Pink is native to the central and eastern United States. It may be found in woodlands bluffs, rocky slopes, or meadows. According to the U.S. Forest Service, Fire Pink is relatively uncommon and considered rare in some locales. The plant is classified as endangered in Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The genus name, Silene, is derived from "catchfly" or "campion." The plants in this genus have sticky hairs that discourage ants and other insects from eating the plant. The species name, virginica, means "of Virginia."

The plant thrives in partial sun with dry to medium moist well-drained soils of sand, gravel, or light loam. The plant will tolerate full sun but prefers afternoon shade. It is dry soil, drought, and rocky soil tolerant. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar of the flowers. They are propagated by seeds, cuttings, and division. The division is best done in late fall or early spring. This plant has a low flammability rating.

The Fire Pink plant is mostly erect but has weak stems and has a taproot. The stems are hairy and sticky with medium to dark green basal and stem leaves. The upper stems terminate in cymes of loosely arranged flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. The flowers are scarlet red and have five spreading petals that are deeply notched at the tips. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule during the summer.

The plant may be used in borders or rock gardens. It is probably best grown in meadows, woodlands, naturalized areas so that it may freely reseed itself. 

This plant was selected as the 2015 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina

Seasons of Interest: 

Bloom: Spring and Summer   Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall        Fruit: Summer

Quick ID Hints:

• green mostly erect, hairy, sticky stems
• basal leaves of medium to dark green that appear lanceolate to spatulate
• opposite stem leaves occur in 2 to 8 pairs
• each stem terminates in cymes of 3 to 10 blooms
• flowers are 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter with five scarlet red spreading petals with deeply notched tips
• flowers are replaced by a tan seed capsule 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fire Pink is generally pest and disease-free.