How much sun does Douglas's catchfly need?

Douglas's catchfly grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Douglas's catchfly bloom?

Douglas's catchfly blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Douglas's catchfly native?

Douglas's catchfly (Silene douglasii) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Douglas's catchfly attract?

Douglas's catchfly draws moths and bees.

Douglas's catchfly

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Silene douglasii

Last reviewed: October 2026

Douglas's catchfly (Silene douglasii) is a perennial forb native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw moths and bees.

Toxicity unknown

Douglas's catchfly (Silene douglasii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

8"–20" H × 8"–16" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states

Pollinators

moths, bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range

Low, tufted perennial with narrow gray-green leaves and clusters of white to greenish five-petaled flowers with deeply notched petals, blooming in early summer on dry rocky slopes and open ridges.

Growing Douglas's catchfly

Grow Douglas's catchfly in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 20 inches tall and spread 8 to 16 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Pale, fragrant flowers open in the evening and are pollinated primarily by night-flying moths, as well as bees during the day.

Common questions

How much sun does Douglas's catchfly need?: Douglas's catchfly grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Douglas's catchfly bloom?: Douglas's catchfly blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Douglas's catchfly native?: Douglas's catchfly (Silene douglasii) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Douglas's catchfly attract?: Douglas's catchfly draws moths and bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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