Silene schafta, the autumn catchfly, is a low mat-forming alpine that flowers in bright pink stars from late summer well into autumn.
It earns its keep at the end of the season. From July to October, when most alpines are long over, it is smothered in small starry deep pink to magenta flowers on slender stems above neat cushions of small mid-green leaves. Bees, butterflies and moths work the flowers. It spreads slowly into a dense carpet and holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Plant it in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil; poor, sandy, gritty or rocky ground where other plants struggle suits it perfectly, and it needs no feeding. It is drought tolerant once established and dislikes only one thing, sitting wet through winter. Use it in a rock garden, alpine bed, gravel path edge, dry stone wall, the front of a sunny border or a container. Tidy the spent flower stems in late autumn or early spring. Fully hardy and returns reliably year after year.
Supplied as a set of three or six established plants in 1 litre pots, ready to plant out.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Autumn catchfly, Schafta catchfly
Fully Grown Height and Spread: 15–20 cm x 30–40 cm
Growth Habit: Low-growing, mat-forming, spreading perennial
Perfect For: Rock gardens, alpine beds, gravel gardens, dry stone walls, front of border, containers
Foliage: Small, mid-green, semi-evergreen
Flowering Time: Late summer to autumn, July to October
Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade; drought tolerant once established; tolerates coastal gardens; suits patio containers
Soil Type: Well-drained; poor, sandy, gritty or rocky soils
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Maintenance: Low; tidy spent stems in late autumn or early spring
Seasonal Interest: Summer and autumn flowers
Type: Hardy alpine perennial
