Silene pendula ‘Sibella Carmine’ | Nodding Catchfly

Silene pendula ‘Sibella Carmine’ is a compact and free-flowering annual that produces a vibrant carpet of rich rose-pink blooms throughout summer. Part of the innovative Sibella series, this variety forms neat, spreading plants covered with masses of delicate flowers that brighten borders, containers, and hanging baskets.

Growing to around 30–40 cm tall, Sibella Carmine creates a soft mound of colour that works beautifully in cottage gardens, bedding displays, and patio containers. The cheerful pink flowers bloom continuously from late spring through early autumn, attracting pollinators and adding a natural charm to garden plantings.

This hardy and undemanding plant is extremely easy to grow. It thrives in sunny locations and adapts well to a wide range of soils, even poor or sandy soils, provided they are well drained. Once established, plants tolerate short dry periods and require very little maintenance.

Sibella Carmine is ideal for gardeners looking for reliable summer colour in beds, borders, and containers. It also self-seeds easily, often returning the following year if some flowers are left to set seed.

Plant Information

Botanical name: Silene pendula
Variety: ‘Sibella Carmine’
Common name: Nodding Catchfly
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Lifecycle: Hardy Annual / Biennial
Height: 30–40 cm (12–15 in)
Flower colour: Pink / Rose
Flowering period: June – September
Position: Full sun to partial sun
Use: Bedding, borders, containers, landscape planting, hanging baskets
Soil: Chalk, sandy or garden soil
Soil pH: Acid, neutral, or alkaline
Moisture: Well-drained soil

Sowing Instructions

Sow seeds in autumn or early spring in a cold frame, or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost and lightly cover with a thin sprinkling of soil or vermiculite. Keep the compost lightly moist.

Cold frame sowings will typically germinate in spring as temperatures rise, while direct outdoor sowings usually germinate within 2–3 weeks.

Seedlings grown in a cold frame should be transplanted into 8 cm pots, grown on under protection, hardened off, and planted outdoors once frost risk has passed. Direct sowings may be thinned to allow plants enough space to develop.

Growing Instructions

Silene pendula is very easy to grow and thrives in sunny locations. It performs well in most soils, even relatively poor soils, as long as drainage is good. Once established, plants are fairly drought tolerant and require minimal care.

Cultivation Tips

Plants may self-seed freely, creating natural drifts in the garden the following season. Deadhead flowers if you wish to prevent volunteer seedlings. After flowering finishes, plants can be removed and composted.