2 named cultivars

perennialN. America Native

Wild Pink

Silene caroliniana

The Story

Plant Bio

Silene caroliniana, wild pink, is a low mounding semi-evergreen perennial native to the central and eastern United States, reaching six to twelve inches. Softly hairy sticky stems form a tidy cushion, and in late spring clusters of five-petalled pink flowers about an inch across open above the foliage, each petal notched or fringed at the tip.

The sticky glandular stems are a defence rather than an accident — they trap crawling insects that would rob nectar without pollinating, leaving the flowers to butterflies and hummingbirds. It grows naturally on dry rocky slopes and sandy banks, so sharp drainage matters more to it than fertility.

Uses & Benefits:

A neat cushion of semi-evergreen foliage topped with clear pink notched flowers in late spring.

Thrives on dry rocky ground and needs no feeding, watering or staking.

Nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds; the sticky stems exclude nectar-robbing crawlers.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

9 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Central and eastern United States

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in sharply drained, sandy or rocky soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade.
Space about a foot apart.
Water to establish, then sparingly.
Do not feed; lean ground suits it.
Cut back lightly after flowering.

Pro Tip

Give it grit and neglect — wild pink fails in rich, damp border soil far more often than it fails from cold.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in sharply drained soil 🌱
Use it in rock gardens and on banks 🪨
Leave it unfed ☀️
Trim lightly after flowering ✂️

Don't

Plant in heavy or wet soil ❌
Mulch heavily over the crown ❌
Feed it richly ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock garden and gravel plantingDry bank or slopeFront-of-border edging

Companion Plants

Moss Phlox Prairie Dropseed Little Bluestem Blanketflower Pussytoes

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Wild Pink questions

What zones can Wild Pink grow in?

Wild Pink is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Wild Pink deer resistant?

Yes — Wild Pink is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Wild Pink bloom?

Wild Pink typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Wild Pink need full sun?

Wild Pink does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Wild Pink drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Wild Pink handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.