Silene vulgaris | Bladder Campion - UK Native Plant
Bladder campion is easy to recognise by its inflated, papery flower buds that resemble tiny lanterns. Found in grasslands and roadside verges, it’s a tough, adaptable wildflower that thrives in lean soils and supports many pollinators.
Botanical Information
Scientific Name: Silene vulgaris
Common Name: Bladder campion
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Habit: Herbaceous perennial - Semi-deciduous
Height: 20–60 cm
Width: 30–40 cm
Flower Colour: White
Flower Time: May – August
Soil: Poor, well-drained, Chalk soils & Loam
Climate Zone: Temperate
Frost Tolerant: Yes
Drought Tolerant: Good
Garden Styles: Wildflower meadows, gravel gardens, naturalistic planting
Special Uses: Edible young shoots, pollinator plant
Uses in Garden Design
A fantastic choice for dry, low-maintenance planting schemes. Designers use it in gravel gardens, meadow mixes, and contemporary naturalistic plantings where its airy seed heads add texture and movement. Bladder campion is not so much the star of the show but a solid member of the ensemble. An interesting use for this species would be in the vegetable garden, its young green foliage is edible and as the plant ages and blooms will further entice essential pollinators to the patch.
