Silene

Campion. The following are all smaller, lower growing plants ideally suited to the edges of raised beds, rockery or a sunny border. Easy in a well drained soil, full sun. S. schafta forms neat clumps whereas the S. uniflora... sea campion, create ground hugging carpets.

Visited by a range of pollinators, most notably hoverflies, some species of campion also have a less symbiotic relationship with insects: some are covered in sticky hairs which can trap insects, and it it is suggested they may be proto-carnivorous, on their way to becoming truly carnivorous plants. Notwithstanding, the leaves and especially seed capsules are food for a number of lepidopteran larvae. The mat- or cushion-forming varieties are important for conserving water and providing a refuge for beneficial insect predators. From a wildlife perspective double-flowered cultivars are of much lower value as they lack much of the nectar/pollen resource.

Silene includes many species previously classified as Lychnis.