Common Names: Carolina Catchfly
Scientific Name: Silene caroliniana
 
Plant Characteristics
• Duration: Perennial
• Size: Typically grows to a height of 1–2 ft., with upright, branching flowering stems.
• Foliage: Narrow, lance-shaped green leaves that form a low basal rosette.
• Bloom Color: Bright pink to rose-colored flowers with five deeply notched petals.
• Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Summer
 
Growing Conditions
• Water Use: Low to Medium
• Light Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium, well-drained
 
Ecological Benefits
Carolina Catchfly (Silene caroliniana) is a native perennial of the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont, commonly found in dry woodlands, rocky slopes, meadows, and woodland edges. Its bright pink flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other native pollinators.
Its compact growth and tolerance for well-drained soils make it a valuable addition to pollinator gardens, rock gardens, meadows, and naturalized landscapes. As a native wildflower, it contributes to regional plant diversity and provides seasonal resources for local wildlife.
 
Local Ecotype: This plant is available as a local ecotype variety. Our team hand-collects seeds from native wildflowers growing in conservation areas we manage, and these plants are grown from that locally collected seed. Local ecotypes are adapted to the conditions of their native region and can help preserve local genetic diversity, support regional wildlife, and strengthen the ecological resilience of native plant communities.