Silene inflata, Sculpit / Stridolo, Silene vulgaris

Silene vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is listed as not frost tender on the PFAF webite. However here on The Wildlands it's flourished down to minus 5c (23f).

It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is dioecious (flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies), bees. The plant is not self-fertile.

It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

Young shoots and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The young leaves are sweet and very agreeable in salads. The cooked young shoots, harvested when about 5cm long, have a flavour similar to green peas but with a slight bitterness. This bitterness can be reduced by blanching the shoots as they appear from the ground. When pureed it is said to rival the best spinach purees. The leaves can also be finely chopped and added to salads. The leaves should be used before the plant starts to flower.