When to plant Red Campion?

Red campion is a woodland native that thrives in shady corners where many other perennials struggle. Choose a spot in partial or full shade—under deciduous trees, along a north-facing fence, or in the dappled light of a shrub border. It tolerates a range of soils but performs best in loam or clay that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged. Prepare the planting area by clearing weeds and working in a little garden compost if your soil is very poor or compacted, though red campion is unfussy and will establish in most garden conditions. The ideal planting times are March to April or September to October, allowing roots to settle before extremes of summer heat or winter cold. If planting pot-grown specimens, dig holes slightly larger than the root ball and set plants at the same depth they were growing in their pots. Space them 30 cm apart to allow for their eventual spread of 20–40 cm. Firm the soil gently around the roots and water in well. For direct sowing, scatter seed thinly on prepared soil in early spring or autumn, pressing it lightly into the surface—red campion seed needs some light to germinate, so don't bury it deeply. Water newly planted red campion regularly for the first few weeks until you see fresh growth, especially if planting in spring. A light mulch of leaf mould or well-rotted compost around the base helps retain moisture and suppresses weeds, but keep it clear of the stems themselves. Red campion self-seeds freely once established, so expect seedlings to appear in subsequent years if you leave a few flower heads to set seed.