Silene regia

If you haven't tried royal catchfly, Silene regia, you have missed one of the truly great Eastern US natives. Silene regia has a limited and scattered range from Illinois south to Florida in mostly prairie habitats. Emerging from a basal rosette, the tight clump of flowering stems shoot upward to 2.5-4' tall, clothed to the top with long smooth green leaves. In June/July, the sticky stalks (which actually catch insects) are topped with terminal inflorescences of hundreds of exquisite 5-petaled screaming hot orange-red flowers. We have found Silene regia quite easy to grow in a variety of decently-drained soils. Royal catchfly has high shock value in the perennial border and is a favorite of hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies, and gardeners of all persuasions.

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