Rose Campion
Silene coronaria
Also listed as Agrostemma coronaria, Coronaria coriacea
Also known as Crown Pink, Mullein-pink, Bloody William
Climate Match for your location
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Rose campion is a cottage garden favorite with velvety gray-green foliage and bright magenta-pink five-petaled flowers. It blooms profusely in summer and readily self-seeds, making it excellent for informal borders and wildflower gardens.
Why grow it
Rose campion offers reliable summer color and informal structure in mixed borders where many perennials fade or require deadheading. Unlike hybrid garden pinks or dianthus, it tolerates poorer soils and partial shade while maintaining vigor. The combination of silvery foliage and bright flowers distinguishes it from other self-seeding Silene species, making it useful for naturalistic plantings where consistent presence matters more than perfect tidiness.
Watch out for
Plants may become leggy or sparse if grown in deep shade, and seedlings benefit from thinning in crowded patches to reduce competition. In areas with very wet winters or heavy clay soils, established plants can decline from root rot despite their general hardiness. Volunteer seedlings can be prolific enough to require occasional removal if the informal aesthetic is not desired.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Rose campion is a cottage garden favorite with velvety gray-green foliage and bright magenta-pink five-petaled flowers. It blooms profusely in summer and readily self-seeds, making it excellent for informal borders and wildflower gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Rose Campion grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Rose campion offers reliable summer color and informal structure in mixed borders where many perennials fade or require deadheading. Unlike hybrid garden pinks or dianthus, it tolerates poorer soils and partial shade while maintaining vigor. The combination of silvery foliage and bright flowers distinguishes it from other self-seeding Silene species, making it useful for naturalistic plantings where consistent presence matters more than perfect tidiness.
Watch out for
Plants may become leggy or sparse if grown in deep shade, and seedlings benefit from thinning in crowded patches to reduce competition. In areas with very wet winters or heavy clay soils, established plants can decline from root rot despite their general hardiness. Volunteer seedlings can be prolific enough to require occasional removal if the informal aesthetic is not desired.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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