Red Campion Seeds (Silene dioica)
If you have a tricky spot in your garden—perhaps under a tree, along a fence line, or a corner that only gets dappled sun—Red Campion is your answer. This resilient native wildflower produces branching stems loaded with bright, rose-pink (not actually red!) flowers that glow against their soft, hairy foliage.
It is the quintessential sign of late spring in the British countryside, often seen tumbling out of hedgerows alongside Bluebells and Stitchwort. In the garden, it creates a relaxed, wild feel and is an absolute magnet for long-tongued bumblebees and hoverflies. Once established, it will gently self-seed, creating a natural drift of pink that returns year after year.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Red Campion is a Short-Lived Perennial.
It grows back from the rootstock for a few years but relies on self-seeding to maintain a permanent colony.
Male & Female: Interestingly, Campion plants are either male or female (dioecious). The male flowers have yellow stamens, while the female flowers have white styles and produce the seed capsules. You need both to get seeds, which this packet provides!
Top Tip: It is incredibly tough. It tolerates heavy clay, shade, and competition from grass, making it one of the easiest wildflowers to establish.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
This is a fuss-free plant that prefers direct sowing.
Germination:
Sow directly outdoors in Autumn (Sept-Oct) or Spring (March-May). Scatter the seeds onto bare, raked soil and press them in—do not bury them deep as they need a little light to germinate. Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
It is unfussy! It loves dappled shade or semi-shade but will also grow in sun if the soil isn't too dry. It prefers moist, well-drained soil (think "woodland floor" conditions).
Care While Growing:
Water well while seedlings are establishing. Once grown, they need very little care. Cut back the stems in autumn after they have released their seeds to tidy up the plant for winter.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Silene dioica |
| Common Name | Red Campion |
| Hardiness | H7 (Very Hardy Native) |
| Light Required | Semi-Shade / Sun ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 60cm - 90cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart (or scatter) |
| Great for | 🌳 Woodland Edges 🐝 Bumblebees 🍃 Wild Corners 🌧️ Damp Soil |
| Seed Count | Approx. 200 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Red Campion looks best in a naturalistic setting alongside other shade-lovers or meadow plants:
- 🕊️ White Campion: The sister plant. Mixing Red and White Campion creates a beautiful, soft pink and white tapestry. While Red Campion loves the day, White Campion scent is strongest at night, giving you round-the-clock fragrance.
- 🦊 Foxgloves (Digitalis): The woodland look. The tall purple spires of Foxgloves rising out of a frothy base of pink Red Campion is the classic image of a British woodland edge. Both thrive in dappled shade.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in spring or autumn. Flowers May to September.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Hybrid Note
Red Campion easily hybridises with White Campion. If you grow both, you might find a beautiful range of pale pink offspring popping up in your garden next year!
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Red Campion is a vital early-season nectar source. It is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, supporting bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
- Regular price
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£2.40 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.40
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