Silene pendula ‘Sibella Lilac’ | Nodding Catchfly

Silene pendula ‘Sibella Lilac’ is a delightful, compact annual producing a profusion of soft lilac-pink blooms that brighten the garden from late spring through summer. Part of the innovative Sibella series, this variety forms low, gently spreading plants that create a colourful carpet of small, delicate flowers.

Growing to 30–40 cm in height, Sibella Lilac is ideal for summer bedding, borders, containers, and hanging baskets. Its neat, spreading habit allows plants to fill spaces beautifully, making it a wonderful choice for patio containers and cottage-style gardens. The airy clusters of lilac flowers add a soft pastel touch to planting schemes and combine well with other summer annuals.

This easy-to-grow plant performs best in full sun or light partial shade and adapts well to a wide range of soils, including sandy or chalky soils, provided they are well drained. Once established, plants are fairly drought tolerant and require minimal care, making them suitable for both beginner gardeners and experienced growers.

Silene pendula may also self-seed naturally, creating charming drifts of flowers in the following season if some blooms are allowed to set seed.

Plant Information

Botanical name: Silene pendula
Variety: ‘Sibella Lilac’
Common name: Nodding Catchfly
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Lifecycle: Hardy Annual / Biennial
Height: 30–40 cm (12–15 in)
Flower colour: Lilac / Soft Purple
Flowering period: May – September
Position: Full sun to partial sun
Use: Bedding, borders, containers, landscape planting, hanging baskets
Soil: Chalk, sandy or garden soil
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Moisture: Well-drained soil

Sowing Instructions

Sow seeds in autumn or early spring in a cold frame, or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost and lightly cover with a thin layer of soil or vermiculite. Keep the compost slightly moist during germination.

Cold frame sowings will typically germinate in spring as temperatures warm, while direct outdoor sowings usually germinate within 2–3 weeks.

Seedlings raised in a cold frame should be transplanted into 8 cm pots, grown on under protection, hardened off, and planted outside once frost risk has passed. Direct sowings may be thinned if necessary.

Growing Instructions

Silene pendula is very easy to grow and performs best in sunny positions. It tolerates poor soils as long as drainage is good. Once established, plants are relatively drought tolerant and require very little maintenance.

Cultivation Tips

Plants may self-seed naturally if some flowers are allowed to mature. Deadheading will prevent unwanted seedlings and encourage continued flowering. After flowering finishes, plants can be removed and composted.