August 23 | Plant of the week Part VIII

Between Lake Garda and lake Como

Elisabeths catchfly, or also the large-flowered catchfly, Silene elisabethae, comes from the southern Alps and defies the sleet. The lime-loving rock plant is in the Guggerbachtal-Alpinum in the pumice garden. From a horticultural point of view, it is one of the more demanding alpine species and is rather short-lived. That is why the seed should always be harvested, which, like most Caryophyllaceae (carnation plants), germinates easily and from which it can be easily regrown. Its long, somewhat woody root makes division impossible, but it is wonderful for growing through crevices and feeding the plant. The name was given by the Austrian botanist Georg Jan (1791-1866) and honors Maria Elisabeth von Savoyen-Carignan (1800-1856). She was the wife of the Viceroy Rainer of Austria (1783-1853) of Lombardy-Venetia.
The plant, which grows to a height of approx. 15-20 cm, flowers in July-August, in pink shades that can vary slightly. It is rarely seen with a white flower.