code: 860
germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Common name: White Campion, Melandrium album, Grave Flower
Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 60 cm
Maximum Height: 90 cm
Long stems hold dividing sprays of pure white flowers. For such a pretty plant it also has some rather morbid common names such as the “Grave Flower” or “Flower of the Dead” in parts of England, as they are seen often growing on grave sites and around tombstones.
Sowing advice:
For best results, sow seeds immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. However, we sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, and often wait for spring before emerging regardless of when they are sown. But spring sowing will obviously give them a full season of growth if successful germination occurs.
Habitat:
White campion grows in most open habitats, particularly wasteland and fields, most commonly on neutral to alkaline soils. Despite the wide array of conditions in which campion can thrive, it prefers sunny areas that have rich and well-drained soil. An example ecoregion of occurrence is in the Sarmatic mixed forests.
