In 2015, we introduced an amazing selection of the short-lived, but showy, native Silene virginica, discovered by Alabama’s Colleen Keleher and shared by her husband, nurseryman, Maarten van der Giessen (photo below). Silene ‘Jackson Valentine’, was such a dramatic improvement over the typical species, that it was purchased and shared with gardeners worldwide. One of those plants went to Holland, where it quickly made it into commercial production. During the mass propagation, a mutation was discovered on a single plant, which was subsequently isolated, trialed, named, and then propagated. Now, the wayward son has returned home to the US, as Silene virginica ‘Forged by Fire’ (photo at bottom). We are pleased to have some to share, although we’re not sure how long our stock will last. Both plants are amazing in the well-drained, dryish section of your garden, where they grow best in part sun to open shade.
The Mississippi Museum of Art, the second largest repository of native plants in the state behind Crosby Arboretum, would love a plug or piece of the beautiful Silene virginica to add to our collection, if you still have some available. How exciting!
They are currently available on the Plant Delights website at https://www.plantdelights.com/