Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Botanical Name
Silene stellata
Plant Common Name
Starry Campion, Widow's Frill
General Description
Widow's frill, also called starry campion, is a North American wildflower admired for its small, white, frilly flowers that appear in summer. It is a small upright, clump-forming herbaceous perennial that naturally inhabits the grasslands and open woods of the eastern United States. It rarely grown as a landscape perennial but would be suitable for subdued, naturalistic gardens.
The upright stems of widow's frill are lined with whorls of four light green, fuzzy, elliptical to lance-shaped leaves with pointed apices. The stems are typically blushed with purple above the point where the leaves attach. Beginning in early summer, the stems bear branched tiers tipped with tine, white, five-petaled flowers. The light green calyx at the base of the flower is bell-shaped. The blossoms remain open day and night and only close only when the afternoon sunlight becomes intense. Widow's frill freely seeds itself into the landscape.
Grow this delicate wildflower in partial sun to dappled shade and well-drained soil with average fertility. Too much sun will cause the foliage to turn yellow. Widow's frill is only suited to natural garden settings due to its propensity to self-sow and its subtle beauty.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 4
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
1'-3' / 0.3m - 0.9m
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Width
10"-18" / 25.4cm - 45.7cm
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Texas
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Light Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Mixed Border, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
