Though the nomenclature is questionable, one thing’s for certain—the oodles of  delightful white-centered rich pink posies this hybrid Silene delivers. Discovered as a promising chance seedling by Dutch plantsman Gerardus Oudshoorn, the tidy, dense dark green mound furnishes fuzzy, oval-shaped evergreen leaves beneath starry, 1 in. Phlox-style flowers that pollinators and gardeners relish. Its attractive low-growing compact habit abides deer as well as drought, begs good drainage plus looks exceptional en masse, while sprucing up a rockery, pathway, living wall, border frontage or gravel garden. (pp#17,392)

Blooms May–mid-September

Size: 15" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

An all-star ground cover named for its decorative bladder-shaped calyxes, this European Campion stays smothered with dainty five-petaled flowers all summer long. Low gray-green cushions of tiny, lancelike fleshy leaves promote the pink-blushed white blooms and curious rosy sable-colored “balloons” on short, upright branching stems.

Easy going and irresistible, it can be nestled alongside a pathway, in a trough or the rockery, or anywhere its deeply rooted semi-evergreen habit is provided a well drained sunny site.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 6" high x 8" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

This spiffy semievergreen mat is brightened by dainty, carnation-like white flowers with balloon-shaped bases and small, rounded fleshy gray-green leaves with creamy-white margins. The low-lying prostrate stems spread slowly, supporting a butterfly-friendly gathering of luminous 1 in. wide blooms on wiry erect stems all summer long. An endearing British cultivar, ‘Druett’s Variegated’s no-fuss habit can drape over walls or container lips as well as nestle between rocks and steps, where it conquers occasional dry spells, coastal conditions and some shade.

Blooms June–mid-September

Size: 2" – 4" high x 8" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.