Royal Catchfly
I tried growing this plant once before when I didn't know much about it.They didn't do well,never bloomed and didn't return the next spring.The soil was probably too heavy and I probably had it surrounded by other plants that blocked the full sun it needed.As far as hummingbird plants go,I put Silene Regia right up there at the top of the list with Lobelia Cardinalis.So this year I'm determined to learn how to grow these right so I can get the mature 4 foot plants I read and dream about.I prepared the bed.Added lots of gritty,gravelly sand and compost to my slightly heavy soil.Made sure the area was big enough so the
plants wouldn't be shaded by others.I bought 6 plants.I bought the first 3 at a local native plant sale.They were already quite tall (12" to 14") and the root systems looked pretty good and loose. The final 3 I got mail order.They were a lot shorter (5" to6") and they were badly root bound.I've lost a lot of stems on the taller plants.I think it was because there was so much top growth that the roots couldn't handle the stress after being transplanted.Maybe if I had cut the plants back it would have helped but I don't know what effect cutting back Royal Catchfly has on flowering.When I planted the final 3, I broke up the roots a little and put them in the same amended soil as the others.They are doing better though their green color has faded a little.I'm hoping they settle in and give me some flowers. I was just wondering if someone out there is experienced at growing these things and has tips that can help me grow them right.Is it ok to cut them back in spring? Will they still flower? I'm in North Central Illinois zone 6a.We have had a few heatwaves already with one day reaching 97% and this was after they were put in the ground.If the weather had been cooler the taller plants probably wouldn't have lost any stems.I plan on keeping this bed for my Silene Regia and I will keep replacing lost plants every spring until I get it right no matter how many years it takes.I'm also going to winter sow seeds in the bed as a backup plan.Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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