Silene wilfordii ("Enbisenno")

Japanese name: エンビセンノウ （燕尾仙翁）
Scientific name: Silene wilfordii

[Overview]
A perennial 0.4–1 m tall, found in moist grasslands from lowlands to mountains.
The stem is erect and sometimes branches in the upper part.
Leaves are simple and opposite, lanceolate-ovate to narrowly elliptic, 3–12 cm long and 1–2.5 cm wide, with pointed tips, hairless on both surfaces, and entire margins.
There is no leaf stalk, and the leaf base clasps the stem.
The flowers are borne rather densely in dichasial inflorescences; they are deep crimson to bright vermilion, five-petaled, 2.5–3 cm across.
The petals open flat and are finely divided.
There are 10 stamens.
The calyx is narrowly elliptic, 1.2–2 cm long.
The fruit is a narrowly funnel-shaped capsule 1.2–2 cm long, which splits into 5 at the top to release the seeds.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by division, or by stem cuttings.
It prefers fertile, well-drained soil in sun to partial shade.
Take care not to let it dry out; for potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long sunny spell and dryness.
In addition to a basal fertilizer, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil in spring and autumn.
Pinching in May–June produces side shoots and increases the number of flowers.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
The name derives from the divided petals.

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