Silene was introduced to me in the spring of 2008. They were planted in the sunny area in my front garden, close to the ice plant, as a ground cover.

6.20.08

Silene flowers are very small, light and dainty-looking. The petals are deeply notched. The ones I had were in pale pink. There are about 500 species of silene and the flowers come in red, darker pink and white. It belongs in the family Caryophyllaceae and in the same genus as rose campion.

8.20.08

I have not seen Silene around at any local nurseries I frequented this year.

I had totally forgotten how much I had enjoyed silene's quiet, subtle beauty last year ... until just a few weeks ago when I happened to discover a couple of silene flowers blooming above the light green foliage at the same spot they were last year.

I brought some indoors the other day.

11.8.08

They looked lovely in the tiny vase.

11.9.09

It is my pleasure to share this little beauty with you.