
trefle.io · Taken Jul 16, 2018 by Marie Delerce (cc-by-sa)
Caryophyllaceae
Cushion-pink
Silene acaulis
Also known as Xamilenis acaulis, Silene acaulis var. angustifolia, Lychnis acaulis, Moss campion
Native Plants · Alpine Plant · Rock Garden · Cushion Plant · Silene · Arctic · Mountain Plant · Pink Flowers · Drought Adapted · Trough Garden · Groundcover
Cushion-pink is a charming alpine plant that forms tight, moss-like mounds covered in small pink flowers in late spring, making it perfect for rock gardens and alpine troughs. It requires excellent drainage and full sun; soggy soils, especially in winter, are its primary enemy. Plant it in a gritty, low-nutrient mix and avoid over-fertilizing, as lean conditions mimic its natural mountain habitat and encourage the dense, compact cushion form.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 8 hours
- Watering
- Water sparingly; allow soil to dry almost completely between waterings as plant is adapted to alpine conditions · Every 14-21 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5–7
- Temperature
- -25°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 6 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Arizona, Austria, British Columbia, Bulgaria, Colorado, Czechoslovakia, East European Russia, Finland, France, FøRoyar, Germany, Great Britain, Greenland, Iceland, Idaho, Ireland
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Moths
Sources: trefle, usda, aspca
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