Description
Common name: Red campion. Coireán Coilleach.
General:
This population originates from Co Down. Irish Grid reference: J337695.
Red campion is an hardy perennial. Flowers variable in colour from pink to red up to 60” tall. It has a long flowering period from June to September and more if you dead-head it regularly.
You can leave the seed pods on the plant and the seeds that develop are tasty to some moth larvae as well as birds and of course you can save your own seed for sowing and sharing.
Benefits:
Attractive and useful to insects. The open flower makes it accessible to a wide range of pollinators. A really great starting plant for novices.
Habitat:
Semi-shade/woodland and road verges, it also grows well in open meadows. An easy to grow and generally colourful and attractive all rounder.
Sowing guidelines:
Sow late autumn or early spring into a seed tray, prick out when large enough to handle and plant out when big enough.
Cultural history:
The Latin name Silene derives from the merry, drunken god called Silenus in Greek myth; from Irish Wild Plants by N.MacCoitir.
Avg contents: 200 seeds.
