This genus contains some small alpines (including one that is very rare in Britain), as well as larger plants suitable for a herbaceous border. The white, pink orr ed flowers are carried in terminal clusters.

Lychnis (Silene) yunnanensis (samojedorum) alba is the white-flowers variety of this clump-forming Chinese species, with pale green tufts of leaves and short stems carrying the clusters of flowers. A relatively unknown and under-used plant for the herbaceous border or the rock garden.