Fire Pink (Silene virginica)

Fire Pink (Silene virginica)

Silene virginica, commonly called Fire Pink, is a native wildflower in the commonly named, Pink or Carnation family, Caryophyllaceae.

Fire Pink begins blooming in late spring and continuing throughout the summer. It is a dynamic native plant grown in wildflower, shade, and rock gardens. It is well known for its distinct brilliant red flowers.

Fire Pink is smaller than its cousin Royal Catchfly, at 8 to 31 inches tall, and is a fairly short-lived perennial 2–3 years, with lance shaped leaves. Its stems, and the bases of the flowers, are covered in short sticky hairs, which work to deter ants and insects like flies from gaining access to nectar without providing pollinating services.

Just like Royal Catchfly this plant is technically carnivorous, but it does not gain nutrients from what it catches, but it does dissolve the catch in order to avoid having rotting insect corpses on its body. Birds and lucky amphibians will benefit from the insects that become ensnared.

Each flower is nearly 2 inches in diameter and is composed of five notched, brilliant red petals which extend into a long tube, perfect for hummingbirds!

Fire pink loves to grow in dryer spaces such as open woods and rocky deciduous slopes in Central and Eastern North America, from It is protected as a state endangered species in Wisconsin, Florida, and Michigan. It is considered imperiled in Louisiana.

Fire Pink's principal pollinator is the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), which is attracted by the flowers' bright red petals and nutritious nectar.

Plant Details

USDA Zones: 4-9

Germination Needs: 60 Days Cold Stratification

Life Cycle: Short Lived Perennial (2-3 years)

Sun Exposure: Partial

Soil Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Plant Spacing: 1-2 feet

Height: 2 feet

Bloom time: May, June, July

Bloom Color: Red

Advantages :

Pollinator Favorite: Hummingbirds and long tongued bees.

Bird Favorite: seeds, insects, fruit, nectar, nesting, perchs.

Deer Resistant Yes

Excellent in the home landscape!

Native to : Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida

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Packet quantities:

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Small seed species will contain greater than 20-25 seed

Large seed species will contain greater than 10-15 seed

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