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Annual Biennial

Stellaria media

common chickweed

A semi-evergreen annual which can be seen commonly in garden beds and borders, producing vast quantities of seed and growing all year round in mild weather. It has fine, sprawling stems, small, bright green leaves and tiny star-shaped white flowers from spring to autumn

Other common names

chickenweed
chickweed
see morewhite bird's eye
winter weed
satin flower
tongue grass

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Stellaria can be annuals or herbaceous perennials, with slender stems bearing simple, opposite leaves and terminal cymes of white flowers with 5 deeply notched petals
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows naturally in cultivated ground and open areas and is a frequent garden weed in garden beds and borders, with the potential to become a nuisance. See chickweed for further information and advice on how to control

Propagation

Produces vast quantities of seed per individual plant and these are distributed easily via top soil, animal droppings, and human feet. The seed will remain viable for up to 25 years within the soil, germinating easily when brought to the surface so has the potential to become a nuisance if not kept in check

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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