Caryophyllaceae
30–90 cm
Woodland
Deep pink
A vivid deep-pink flower of woodland edges and hedgerows, brightening shaded spots from late spring through summer.
Natural History
Red Campion is one of the most vibrant and cheerful flowers of the British countryside, its deep rose-pink blooms lighting up woodland edges, hedgerows, and shaded banks from April through to October. It is a dioecious plant, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants — the male flowers have ten stamens while the female flowers develop into distinctive, urn-shaped seed capsules. The five petals are each deeply notched, giving the flower a delicate, lacy appearance. Red Campion often hybridises with the White Campion where the two species grow together, producing a range of intermediate pink shades. It is an excellent early nectar source for emerging bumblebees in spring.
Habitats
Key Pollinators
Traditional Uses
Red Campion has no significant culinary uses. The saponins in the plant have historically been used as a soap substitute. It is an important early nectar source for pollinators.
Did You Know?
Red Campion is one of the few wildflowers that can be pollinated by both day-flying bees and night-flying moths, making it active around the clock.
Related Species
Bluebell
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Britain's most beloved woodland flower, carpeting ancient forests in a haze of violet-blue each April and May.
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
A towering spike of thimble-shaped purple bells, beloved by bumblebees and the source of the heart medicine digitalis.
Wild Garlic
Allium ursinum
Star-shaped white flowers and broad, glossy leaves that fill damp woodland with an unmistakable garlicky scent each spring.