Italian Catchfly
Silene italica
- Native to:
- Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Romania, Sicilia, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Giuseppe Frizzi
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Silene
- Species:
- Silene italica
- USDA Symbol:
- SIIT
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 70 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, moths
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, calcareous, rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers limestone-rich areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with light exposure and cool temperatures around 15-20°C.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.