Silene Species, Ragged Robin

Sileneflos-cuculi

Family
Caryophyllaceae (kar-ree-oh-fil-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Silene (sy-LEE-nee)
Species
flos-cuculi (floss KOO-koo-lie)
Synonym
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color
Pink
Magenta (pink-purple)
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Montgomery, Alabama

Juneau, Alaska

Seward, Alaska

Clovis, California

Fountain Valley, California

Greenville, Indiana

Latonia, Kentucky

Hanover, Massachusetts

Croton On Hudson, New York

Wallkill, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Warren, Ohio

MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE, Oregon

West Linn, Oregon

New Hope, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Ogden, Utah

Lexington, Virginia

Suffolk, Virginia

CHIMACUM, Washington

Kalama, Washington

Kendall, Washington

Maple Falls, Washington

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
1
neutral
1
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
F
Kendall, WA (Zone 8a) | July 2014 | positive

I have had this plant (the pink one) for many years. This is the first time I've actually separated it at the roots. BOTH plants are bloo...Read More

C
C
Hanover, MA | June 2013 | positive

We decided not to mow all of the (way-too-big) lawn at our new home, and were thrilled to see this pop up! We never water out there and i...Read More

K
columbia, TN (Zone 7a) | September 2010 | positive

This is one of the wonderful weavers in my spring gardens, I don't find it invasive here in zone 6 and does not need alot of moisture.

J
J
Joy
Kalama, WA (Zone 8b) | June 2006 | negative

Ragged Robin self seeds to the point of being weedy in my garden. Best to deadhead to prevent this.

W
Seward, AK (Zone 3b) | August 2002 | positive

I purchased the seed for Ragged Robin from a catalog and started it last spring. The seedlings bloomed in the first year. I think they wi...Read More

B
B
Baa
| August 2002 | neutral

A perennial from damp land in Europe and Russia.

Has lance like, blue-green - mid-green leaves. Bears small cymes of pink,...Read More

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