Species wild pink
pink-purple flowers with lime leaves and burgundy stems

wild pink

Silene caroliniana var. wherryi 'Short and Sweet'

Wild pink (Silene caroliniana var. wherryi 'Short and Sweet') is an herbaceous, perennial plant native to the United States. It has a rounded, upright form and is 2-3 feet tall. Its leaves are dark green, lance-shaped, and serrated. Its beautiful tubular pink flowers have a central yellow eye, and bloom from May through August. It prefers light shade, moist, well-drained soil, and is ideal for woodland gardens or wildflower meadows. It can tolerate drought and is safe for rabbits and deer. It will spread slowly, but can become dense with enough sunlight. This unique perennial is an excellent choice for low-maintenance, colorful groundcover, and will add texture and beauty to any landscape.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Wild Pink plants prefer regular watering, but they should not be overwatered. During the summer months, water your Wild Pinks when the soil surface is dry to the touch, typically once every 5-7 days. During winter when the plant is dormant, water about once every 2-3 weeks, or when the soil feels dry. To encourage more blooms, provide plenty of water during growth and flowering seasons.

sunlight

Wild pink is a native plant species from the eastern parts of the United States. It thrives in full sun, and should be planted in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. To ensure optimum growth, it is best to give the plant at least 8 hours of light per day, preferably between 10am and 6pm. During the hottest part of the day, the plant should be shielded from the sun, as it can become stressed and wilt in extreme heat. Though it is tolerant of drought, its blooms will last longer and its foliage will be more vibrant if it gets approximately 1 inch of water each week. With adequate sunlight, water, and care, Wild pink can bloom from mid-spring to late summer.

pruning

Wild pink should be pruned in early to mid-spring, shortly before new growth begins. Pruning should be minimal and selective, focusing on removing dead, crossing, or damaged branches and those that are overcrowding the plant. No more than a third of the overall plant should be pruned in a single year. To ensure good air circulation and to keep the plant from becoming overgrown, it may be helpful to prune back branches that exceed 12 inches in length. Pruning techniques such as heading, thinning, shearing, and deadheading can all be used on wild pink.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Wild pink typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map