Alpine Catchfly

A dainty but resilient alpine, Silene alpestris is a mat-forming perennial native to the Eastern Alps. It features glossy, dark green, lance-shaped leaves that form a low, attractive carpet. In early to midsummer, it produces an abundance of delicate, glistening white flowers on slender stems. Each flower has five petals with notched tips, giving them a fringed appearance that catches the light beautifully. Unlike many silenes, this species is not particularly 'sticky'. In the UK, it is a very reliable garden plant, being fully hardy (H5) and more tolerant of varying soil conditions than many specialist alpines. It prefers a position in full sun or very light shade and a well-drained but not excessively dry soil. It is perfect for filling gaps in a rockery, planting in the crevices of a stone wall, or as a softening edge for a gravel garden. Its pure white blooms are particularly effective at brightening up darker corners of the rock garden.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Well-drained, neutral to alkaline loam.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul.