Silene stellata

Common Names

Starry Campion, Widow's Frill, Whorled Catchfly

Summary

Silene stellata, commonly known as Starry Campion or Widow’s Frill, is a native North American perennial in the Caryophyllaceae family, growing as an upright, loosely branching clump about 1–3 feet tall with opposite leaves at the base and whorls of four higher on the stems; distinctive features include white five-petaled flowers with deeply fringed petals arranged in a panicle, a star-like appearance, a deep white taproot, and a tendency to reseed, with blooms that open in the evening and persist into the night and early morning. Culture favors partial shade to full sun and well-drained soils ranging from dry to moderately moist; it is drought-tolerant once established and hardy in USDA zones 4–9. Suitable for naturalized settings, wildflower, woodland, cottage, and meadow plantings; propagation by seeds, stem cuttings, or division is possible, with seeds sometimes requiring stratification and the plant capable of reseeding in the garden. Space plants about 12–24 inches apart to showcase blossoms; taller stems may require staking, and deer may browse the tops. Pollination is primarily by moths, with bees visiting occasionally, making it a good addition to pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Lifecycle

Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Height

12-36 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil, including loam, clay-loam, and sandy-loam textures

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

No clearly defined ideal soil pH; tolerates acidic to alkaline soils

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green, Pale green to pale reddish green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts moths, bees (including bumblebees), and butterflies