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Description
Silene Coronaria Alba is a beautiful, white-flowering plant that belongs to the Carnation family. It is also known as White Campion or Dusty Miller due to its grayish-green foliage. Native to Europe, this plant has been widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its stunning flowers and attractive foliage.The plant grows up to 60 cm tall and 45 cm wide, forming a rosette of leaves at the base. The flowers are white and have five petals, each about 2-3 cm in length. They bloom in summer and fall, producing a sweet fragrance that attracts bees and butterflies.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Angiosperms |
| Class | Eudicots |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Caryophyllaceae |
| Genus | Silene |
Appearance
Silene Coronaria Alba has grayish-green foliage that is covered in soft hairs, giving it a dusty appearance. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate in shape and grow up to 10 cm long. The flowers are white and have five petals, each with a deep cleft at the tip. They bloom in clusters at the top of the stems and have a sweet fragrance.
Care Guide
Silene Coronaria Alba is an easy-to-grow plant that requires minimal care. Here are some tips on how to care for this plant:- Water: Water the plant regularly, especially during the growing season. Make sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged.- Fertilization: Fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.- Soil: The plant prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal.- Sunlight: The plant prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade but may not flower as well.- Hardiness Zones: Silene Coronaria Alba is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Silene Coronaria Alba is generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, it may occasionally be attacked by aphids, spider mites, or leaf miners. These can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Habitat
Silene Coronaria Alba is native to Europe and is commonly found in meadows, fields, and woodland edges. It grows well in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Silene Coronaria Alba a perennial or an annual?
A: Silene Coronaria Alba is a perennial plant.
Q: Can Silene Coronaria Alba be grown in containers?
A: Yes, Silene Coronaria Alba can be grown in containers as long as they are large enough to accommodate the plant’s root system.
Q: Does Silene Coronaria Alba require pruning?
A: Silene Coronaria Alba does not require pruning, but you can deadhead the spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Q: Is Silene Coronaria Alba toxic to pets?
A: Silene Coronaria Alba is not toxic to pets.
Related Plants
– Silene vulgaris- Silene dioica- Silene latifolia
References
– “Silene coronaria.” Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279607&isprofile=0&.- “Silene coronaria.” Plant of the Week. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/silene-coronaria-7-10-09.aspx.- “Silene coronaria.” Royal Horticultural Society. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/268103/Silene-coronaria/Details.
