Native Plant Database

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Silene virginica (Fire pink)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Silene virginica L.

Fire pink, Scarlet catchfly

Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)

USDA Symbol: SIVI4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Fire-pink is a weak-stemmed, 1-2 ft., short-lived perennial with long, narrow, opposite leaves and bright-red, tubular flowers. Five petals flare out from the flowers’ tubular bases, and each petal is notched into two, sharp-pointed lobes. Bright red, long-stalked flowers bloom in loose clusters at tops of slender, weak, or reclining stems.

A common name for members of this genus is Catchfly, which refers to the sticky hairs or exudates which trap insects. Another species with bright red flowers is Royal Catchfly (S. regia), found in Midwestern prairies and dry woods; it has short-stalked flowers, with petals that are only slightly toothed or untoohahed, and thicker leaves. Fringed Pink (S. polypetala) has pale pink flowers with conspicuously fringed petal ends. It is more heat tolerant than S. virginica.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Usually 1 feet tall. Taller stems tend to recline.
Leaf Color: Green. Reddish green in winter.
Flower Size: 1.5 inches across
Fruit Color: Tan

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Typically blooms mid-spring, but may continue to mid-summer.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MS , MO , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV , WI
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: NJ to s. Ont., s. to FL & OK
Native Habitat: Open, moist or dry woods; rocky slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Well-drained, rocky, acid soils. Poor soils preferred.
Conditions Comments: Fire pink grows well on lightly disturbed ground. It does not do well in deep shade, needing dappled light.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Intense red flowers in dappled shade in eastern North America.
Use Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Seeds attract juncos, pine siskins, sparrows, water pipits, and horned larks.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Hummingbirds , Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Softwood Cuttings
Description: Propagate by seed or cuttings. Seeds can be sown outdoors immediately after collection or stored, pretreated and sown later. Divide mature plants in late fall or early spring by removing outer rosettes.
Seed Collection: This plant declines quickly after flowering so it is best to flag the plant. Seeds mature 2-3 weeks after the bloom period. Vigorous plants may have flowers and dehisced capsules at the same time. Mature capsules should be swollen, pale green or tan, and split readily when pinched. Refrigerate in sealed containers.
Seed Treatment: 3-4 weeks of cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Because it is a short-lived perennial, it is a good idea to start a few new plants each year.
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Saturday April 21. What a beautiful place. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I was wondering how I could find out what are the native wildflowers of Northern Indiana. I live in Warsaw, IN. It is 3 hours north of Indianapolis between South Bend and Fort Wayne. I have a lovely home in the country with all the wildlife and all the space that I need. I just planted 10 flowering trees and I have flower beds of the flowers I enjoy. The soil is very sandy but would like to know the wildflowers that are indigenous to Northern Indiana. Thanks for any assistance that you can provide.
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From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV

Bibliography

Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Silene virginica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Silene virginica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Silene virginica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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