Short and Sweet Catchfly

Wildlife gardening has become popular in recent years, leading to a greater appreciation of North American native plants. Silene caroliniana, commonly called Catchfly, is a great native plant that provides nectar for early foraging pollinators and much-needed color for the spring garden. Short and Sweet Catchfly is an excellent substitute for the more common Dianthus or cottage Pinks. Catchfly blooms early to late spring just like Dianthus, but it tolerates a much wider variety of soil and light conditions.

Short and Sweet Catchfly is a compact, spreading plant that can be grown for a groundcover or as an addition to a mixed seasonal container planting. The delicate, green foliage stays fresh into fall and makes a lovely groundcover in a woodland garden or wildflower meadow. Deer rarely browse on Catchfly, and this fabulous native plant is low maintenance, disease resistant, and drought tolerant. 

Short and Sweet Catchfly Care

Catchfly will grow well in full sun, part shade, and full shade. Any soil texture is acceptable as long as it is well drained. Fertilizing is rarely required for native plants. Overly rich soil will result in thin, leggy growth that is more susceptible to pests and diseases. Keep Catchfly well watered for the first few years to encourage a deep root system that will be drought tolerant after the plant matures.

This dense and vigorous grower requires no deadheading or pinching back of stems. Clean up any spent top growth early in the spring as new growth emerges. Silene does not like to have its roots disturbed once established. Propagation by cuttings or seeds is more successful than root division. 

Short and Sweet Catchfly Spacing

Catchfly looks best when planted in large groups that grow together as a flowering groundcover. The mature height is 6-8 inches, while the spread can be up to 15 inches. Space plants about 12 inches apart center on center.

Short and Sweet Catchfly Information