My garden, alive in my pocket.
Track my garden
🌿

Bladder campion

Silene vulgaris · Caryophyllaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant bladder campion: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

JFMAMJJASOND Planting

ID card

Foliage
Deciduous, grayish-green
Blooming
May to September, white flowers
Mature size
30 to 60 cm tall, spreading habit
Growth
Fast
Hardiness
Very hardy, down to -20°C
Origin
Europe, temperate regions
Soil type
Well-drained, tolerates poor soils

Care

Watering

Water moderately during active growth, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Once established, the plant is very drought-tolerant and needs little additional watering. Avoid waterlogging, which causes root rot.

Light exposure

Plant bladder campion in full sun or partial shade. It prefers bright locations for abundant flowering. In hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial.

Soil

Choose well-drained, light soil with a slightly gravelly texture. This plant adapts to poor and even chalky soils. Improve drainage in clay soil by adding sand or gravel.

Pruning

Cut back dried foliage in late winter or spring. Pinch young stems to encourage a more compact and bushy habit. Regularly deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming.

Fertilizer

Bladder campion requires only light fertilization. Well-decomposed compost in spring is quite sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages foliage at the expense of flowers.

Diseases and pests

The plant is generally hardy against pests. Be wary mainly of excessive moisture, which can promote rot or fungal issues. Ensure good air circulation around plantings.

Did you know?

Bladder campion owes its common name to its inflated sepals shaped like little skins or balloons. Its delicately fragrant flowers attract night-flying butterflies, particularly the caryophyllaceae moths. In the past, this plant was consumed as a wild vegetable in certain regions of the Mediterranean basin and Asia.

Where to buy it

Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.

Add this plant to my garden →

Plants from the same family

Browse all plants →

Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.