Red Campion – Silene dioica

Red Campion (Silene dioica) is a bright coloured, medium / tall plant that is often found on roadsides, woodland areas and hedges throughout the summer months.

Red Campion produces rose like flowers, each with 5 petals on display, each petal is then almost divided into 2 by a deep groove. The flowers are rose pink in colour and are joined at the base to form a tube which is then surrounded by a purple / brown calyx.
The stem produces, paird , opposite leaves, both of which have tiny hairs covering them.

Red campion is a short lived plant that is mainly found in lightly shaded areas such as hedgerows, woodland clearings and coppice areas, but can grow as a non flowering plant in shaded places. Red campion is not able to grow in areas of waterlogged grassland therefore, it is not usually found in heavy clay sites , prefering to grow in well drained and moderately fertile soils.

Height: 30 – 90cm
Flowering Time: March to November
Preferred Conditions: Prefers to grow in light shade areas such as woodland and hedgerows.

Red Campion - Silene dioica