When does this bloom?
May-June
Where does this bloom?
1-2, 85.8 Picnic Area, 154.5 241 Picnic Area, 339.3 Picnic Area, 367-375, 404-408
Fire Pink (Silene virginica) is a wildflower in the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. Its distinct brilliant red flowers give this flower its name and fame. Each flower, approximately 5 cm in diameter, is composed of 5 notched, brilliant red petals which extend into a long tube structure. This perennial is short-lived (2-3 years). It does not generally grow very tall (20-80 cm) and has lance-shaped leaves. Its stems and bases of the flowers are covered in short, sticky hairs. Blooming begins in late spring and continues throughout the summer. It is grown in wildflower, shade, and rock gardens.