Happy Independence Day! Plenty of colorful fireworks will be ignited on this day of celebration, but we have the meadows at CMNP with flowers that remind us of fireworks.

Royal Catchfly (Silene regia) is a bold and bright red wildflower that blooms from June-August, and usually reaches its peak around Independence Day. These firework shaped flowers serve as important nectar sources for hummingbirds and larger butterflies such as Swallowtails and Cloudless Sulphur. The stems are sticky and resinous, giving the name “catchfly”. When small insects move up the stem to reach the pollen and nectar of the flowers, they become trapped on the sticky stems, saving the flowers to be pollinated by butterflies who are best suited for the job. \

Royal Catchfly prefers dry, medium, and rocky soils and enjoys full to part sun. They have five vivid red petals that rival the beauty of any fireworks humans have created. Come check out our awesome catchflies at CMNP while they are in bloom this summer!