I have seen this wildflower for some years now. It grows 24-30 inches tall, blooms in late July/August. The foliage looks like phlox but I have never seen it develop mildew. Anybody know?
No mildew!!! Does it smell like a phlox? And does it set seed? I love phlox and they grow well for me but the bottom half of the plants always look like heck because of the mildew.
Hi 2, Yes I have never seen it with mildew. I know it is not phlox or at least not the normal phlox. The flowers are different, not as showy, not as dense a flower head, and it only comes in the color depicted in the photos. It is still pretty, especially for a wild like area. I almost forgot, no it does not smell like phlox. ...it does not have a strong scent.
Palustris, thank you. I did not know what those balloon like things were called. I just Googled silene and lychnis & found out they are one & the same family. I did not know that either. I grow rose campion (lychnis or silene coronata ) & catch fly ( silene viscaria). I did not know they were kissing cousins. (Shall I put them together& see what hyjinks they get up to?) I did not see my plant among all the lychnis/silene offerings, but nevertheless thanks for your help.
Beat me to it. I was about to suggest that! At least I was in the correct family to begin with. We have a double form of this which is the biggest thug imaginable. Never planted it and have spent 20 years trying to get rid of it. Double form is ugly.
Good to know Palustris. I guess I won't be planting the single one any time soon in my garden! I guess there is a reason why it is a wildflower able to compete with the tall grasses and poison ivy.
