Silene Viscosa

Silene viscosa is a Eurasian catchfly with upright stems, opposite leaves and clusters of pale pink to purple, five-petalled flowers. Bands of sticky glandular hairs on the stems can trap small crawling insects, a defensive feature that helps prevent them reaching the blooms without pollinating them. Growing naturally in dry meadows, steppe and open ground, the plant has an informal wildflower character and flowers through summer. It suits sunny naturalistic borders and gravel planting, where lean soil keeps the habit sturdy and free flowering.