There are three recognized subspecies of Silene caroliniana, also known as wild pink or sticky catchfly. There’s the southeastern subspecies caroliniana, and up here in the north it’s pensylvanica. Silene caroliniana subsp. wherryi is the only one that is native west of the Appalachian mountains. While I’m still hunting down Pennsylvania catchfly (hopefully with a PA ecotype), this near-native subspecies is also worth planting.
Why is wild pink called a catchfly?
Silene, also known as campion or catchfly, are related to carnations, and equally as ornamental. Catchfly comes from the fact that many have a sticky calyx which will catch small flies and gnats. Some species also have sticky stems and leaves. Why some plants prefer to behave like fly-paper when they don’t appear to benefit directly, who knows? If I had to guess, at least for species pollinated by hummingbirds, they would appreciate the extra meal. After all, hummingbirds do feed on gnats, fruit flies, and other tiny flying insects. It’s how they get their protein. While I cannot find any information about whether or not this particular species is visited by hummingbirds, they do pollinate a closely related species, Silene regia. Note: that’s just an educated guess – I have no idea if hummingbirds would eat the gnats stuck to the flowers; maybe someone will research it.
This post on the species by the US Forest Service suggests the stickiness may be an adaptation to protect itself from insects that would eat or lay eggs in it.
How to grow wild pink
Sticky catchfly is drought tolerant once established, so grow it in your native rock garden, dry bed, or dry open woods. It flowers best in full sun but is adaptable to light shade. It does not like root disturbance, so be sure to plant it where you want it. Otherwise, make sure you give plenty of room for its roots when transplanting.
These are good sized plants in 2.5″ pots, which are being offered at $6 apiece. Once they get too big for these and are bumped up, the price will go up as well, so get them while they’re small!
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