Silene birgittae PBR 120
15 seeds per packet.
The seeds we offer have been harvested from plants grown by us from seeds collected by Pascal Bruggman from W. Kameng, near the border of Bhutan at 3974 metres. As far as we are aware, we are the first nursery to offer this plant in cultivation.
A high alpine stoloniferous species native to E. Himalaya to S. Tibet that grows in rock crevices. It produces rosettes of narrow, lanceolate foliage and stems that carry unusually large, greenish-white, nodding, spherical calyces with prominent ribs strikingly picked out in deep brown-purple. We have nicknamed this plant 'The Mekon' as its humongous cranium reminds us of the being in Dan Dare comics. This Silene seems to be pollinated by bumble bees especially. Flowering May to July. Height 12 to 15 cm. Sun to part shade in moisture retentive but well-drained soil.
Limited packets available!
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:
Sow from March to June. Cover seed thinly, press in gently and keep top of compost from drying out. Keep pot warm at 15 to 20°C until germination, then move to somewhere cooler.
Carefully prick out seedlings when they have developed true leaves and are large enough to transplant to individual pots to grow on.