Red Campion Seeds

Red Campion is one of our most beloved native wildflowers, instantly recognizable by its vivid rose-pink flowers that glow against the fresh green of spring. It creates a haze of colour along hedgerows, woodland edges, and roadside verges from May right through to late summer.

This is a fantastic plant for bringing a "wild" feel to the garden. It is tough, adaptable, and thrives in those tricky semi-shaded spots where other sun-loving flowers fail. The vibrant pink petals are deeply notched, and the hairy, soft foliage creates a lush, ground-covering rosette before sending up the flower spikes.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Red Campion'

We love this plant because it is a biodiversity powerhouse. It is a magnet for bumblebees, hoverflies, and butterflies (like the Orange-Tip). Growing native wildflowers is one of the best things you can do to support local ecosystems.

It is also brilliant for "brightening the shade." If you have a dark corner under a tree or a shady fence line, Red Campion will light it up with intense pink colour without needing constant attention or watering.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Short-Lived Perennial?

Red Campion is a Short-Lived Perennial.

It returns year after year but often acts like a biennial in its first year.
The Cycle: It grows leaves in year one and flowers profusely in year two. Although individual plants may not live for many years, it self-seeds readily, meaning a colony of Red Campion will persist in your garden indefinitely once established.
Top Tip: Male and female flowers grow on separate plants (hence the name 'dioica', meaning two houses). You need a mix of both for seeds to set!

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

As a native wildflower, this plant is incredibly easy to grow and requires no special treatment.

🌱 Germination:
Sow directly outdoors in Autumn (Sept/Oct) or Spring (March-May). Scatter the seeds on the surface of raked soil. **Do not cover** heavily; just press them into the earth. They germinate in 14-21 days.

Where to Sow:
It prefers dappled shade or partial shade, mimicking its natural woodland habitat. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil but is surprisingly tolerant of most garden conditions once established.

Care While Growing:
Red Campion is virtually maintenance-free. Water young plants during dry spells. After the first flush of flowers in early summer, cut the stems back by half to encourage a second flush of blooms in late summer/autumn.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Red Campion looks best in a naturalistic setting. Pair it with these other wild-style favourites:

• 🏰 Foxglove 'Excelsior Mix': The ultimate woodland duo. Foxgloves and Campion naturally grow together in the wild. The tall purple spikes of the Foxglove rise elegantly above the bushy pink Campion, creating a multi-layered display.
• 🌼 Oxeye Daisy: For a wildflower meadow look. The bright white, sunny faces of the Oxeye Daisy provide a crisp contrast to the deep rose-pink of the Campion. Both are tough natives that thrive with minimal care.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow directly outdoors in spring or autumn.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)