Silene schafta, commonly known as Autumn Catchfly, is a charming low-growing hardy perennial prized for its long-lasting display of vivid pink flowers from late summer well into autumn. This mat-forming alpine plant produces masses of small, star-shaped blooms on slender stems above neat cushions of mid-green foliage, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens, alpine beds, dry stone walls, and the front of sunny borders.
A wonderfully easy-to-grow plant, Silene schafta thrives in well-drained soils and is perfectly suited to poor, gritty, or rocky conditions where many other plants struggle. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires very little maintenance, rewarding you with reliable colour at a time when many alpine plants have finished flowering.
This listing is for a set of three plants, each supplied as a 1Ltr root-ball, ready for planting directly into the garden or into containers.
Key Features:
- Profuse deep pink, star-shaped flowers from late summer to autumn
- Low-growing, mat-forming habit – ideal ground cover
- Thrives in well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soils
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators
- Suitable for rock gardens, alpine beds, wall crevices, containers and border edges
- Supplied as a set of 3 or 6 plants in 1Ltr root-balls
Cultural Information:
- Botanical Name: Silene schafta
- Common Names: Autumn Catchfly, Schafta Catchfly
- Classification: Hardy herbaceous perennial
- Fully Grown Height and Spread: 15–25 cm × 30–45 cm
- Growth Habit: Low-growing, mat-forming, spreading alpine perennial
- Perfect for: Rock Gardens, Alpine Beds, Dry Stone Walls, Ground Cover, Containers, Border Edges
- Flowering Time: Late Summer to Autumn (July–October)
- Flower Colour: Deep Pink / Magenta
- Planting Position: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil; tolerates sandy, gritty and rocky conditions
- Attracts: Bees, Butterflies and Pollinators
- Type: Hardy Perennial
- Foliage: Small, Mid-Green, Semi-Evergreen Leaves
- Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Planting and Care:
Plant in a sunny, well-drained position. Silene schafta performs best in lighter soils and does not enjoy sitting in waterlogged conditions, particularly over winter. After flowering, a light trim helps to keep plants tidy and encourages fresh growth the following season. No regular feeding is required – this plant naturally thrives in leaner soils.
Notes: This product is supplied as a set of three Silene schafta plants, each in a 1Ltr root-ball format, ready for immediate planting.