Dianthus Border Carnation, Pinks
Dianthus, also known as pinks, is a versatile and popular plant found in various parts of the garden. Learn more about its hardy perennial varieties in this article.
TL;DR
Dianthus is found in several parts of the garden. In the rockery you will see the Alpine Pinks and in the flower beds both Sweet William and the Annual Carnations are popular.
- Hardy perennial varieties: Border Carnations, Old-fashioned Pinks, Modern Pinks
- Flowering period: July (southern counties), August (northern counties)
- Site and Soil: Well-drained garden soil, sunny spot
Dianthus is found in several parts of the garden. In the rockery you will see the Alpine Pinks and in the flower beds both Sweet William and the Annual Carnations are popular. This section deals with the hardy perennial varieties – the Border Carnations, the Old-fashioned Pinks and the Modern Pinks. All form tufts of grassy grey-green leaves with flowers borne on upright stems. Perfume is an important feature and all will flourish in chalky soil and urban smoke. The Border Carnations produce stout stems and the blooms are large. Staking is essential. A typical Carnation is quite different from a typical Pink, but the dividing line is not clear cut. Pinks have more delicate stems, narrower leaves, smaller flowers and a more dainty appearance.
Flowering period: July (southern counties), August (northern counties). After a few seasons the plants deteriorate and will need to be replaced. The petals are smooth-edged (unlike the serrated petals of the Florist Carnation) and there are selfs (single colour), fancies (2 or more colours) and picotees (pale colour with a darker edging). The list of varieties is enormous – you will find names like ‘Edenside Fairy’, ‘Consul’, ‘Fiery Cross’ and ‘Perfect Clove’. Old-fashioned Pinks grow about 1 ft high and should be planted 1 ft apart. There is a single flush of flowers in June and they are slow growing, but there is still a place for ‘Mrs Sinkins’ and ‘White Ladies’ (white), ‘Excelsior’ (carmine) and ‘Emil Par6’ (pink). The Modern Pinks (hybrids of D. allwoodii) are steadily taking over because they are quicker growing and have a ‘perpetual-flowering’ habit, blooming in June and July and again in autumn. Choose your Pinks from this Modern group – there are ‘Doris’ (salmon-pink), ‘Show Pearl’ (white), ‘Robin’ (scarlet) and many others.
SITE AND SOIL: Any well-drained garden soil which is not acid will do – choose a sunny spot.
PROPAGATION: Sow seeds under glass in April or plant cuttings in a cold frame in July. Alternatively layer side shoots in August.
Old-fashioned Pink
By careful selection you can ensure that your border will be in bloom during every month of the year. For each month there is a list of perennials which can be expected to be in full flower-rememberthat some of these plants may come into bloom earlier and can continue to flower for many weeks afterwards.
Acanthus spinosus Achillea filipendulina Agapanthus africanus Anchusaazurea Campanula spp. Dianthus caryophyllus Echinacea purpurea Echinops ritro Eryngium spp. Gaillardiaaristata Helenium autumnale Helianthus decapetalus Heliopsisscabra Hosta spp. Kniphofia uvaria Ligularia dentata Limonium latifolium
AUGUST
Lysimachia clethroides Macleaya cordata Oenothera missouriensis Phlox spp.
Physostegia virginiana Polygonum affine Potentilla hybrids Rudbeckiafulgida Salvia superba Saponaria officinalis Sidalcea malvaefiora Solidago hybrida Stachys lanata Stokesia laevis Thalictrum dipterocarpum Tradescantia virginiana Verbascum hybridum
Acanthus spinosus Achillea filipendulina Agapanthus africanus Anaphalis spp. Anemone japonica Aster novi-belgii Chrysanthemum rubell Cimicifuga foetida Clematis heracleifolia Cortaderiaselloana Echinacea purpurea Eryngium spp. Inula hookeri Kniphofia uvaria Liatris spicata Ligularia dentata Liriope muscari
SEPTEMBER
Lysimachia clethroides
Lythrum salicaria
Oenothera missouriensis
Phlox spp.
Physalis franchetii
Physostegia virginiana um Polygonum affine
Potentilla hybrids Rudbeckiafulgida Salvia superba Saponaria officinalis Schizostylis coccinea Sedum spectabile Solidago hybrida Stokesia laevis Tradescantia virginiana Viola odorata
Dianthus is found in several parts of the garden.
More Information on DIANTHUS Border Carnation, Pinks
Dianthus, commonly known as pinks, is a versatile and popular plant found in various parts of the garden. While Alpine Pinks thrive in rockeries, Sweet William and Annual Carnations are favored in flower beds. However, in this article, our focus will be on the hardy perennial varieties of Dianthus: Border Carnations, Old-fashioned Pinks, and Modern Pinks. These perennial Dianthus varieties are known for their tufts of grassy grey-green leaves and upright stems that bear beautiful flowers. One distinguishing feature is the perfume emitted by these blooms, making them a delightful addition to any garden. They are well-suited for chalky soil and can even withstand urban pollution. Border Carnations, with their stout stems and large blooms, are a striking choice. However, they require staking to support their robust growth. On the other hand, Old-fashioned Pinks exhibit a more delicate appearance with slender stems, narrower leaves, and smaller flowers. Despite their slower growth, they still hold their charm, especially varieties like 'Mrs Sinkins' and 'White Ladies'. The Modern Pinks, which are hybrids of Dianthus allwoodii, are gaining popularity due to their quick growth and perpetual-flowering habit. These Pinks bloom in June and July and then again in autumn. Among the Modern group, you can find captivating varieties like 'Doris' with salmon-pink blooms, 'Show Pearl' showcasing white flowers, and 'Robin' boasting scarlet blossoms. To cultivate Dianthus, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil that is not acidic. You can propagate them by sowing seeds under glass in April, planting cuttings in a cold frame in July, or layering side shoots in August. With these perennial Dianthus varieties, you can create a border that boasts continuous blooms throughout the year. From the elegant Border Carnations to the timeless Old-fashioned Pinks and the vibrant Modern Pinks, there is a Dianthus variety suitable for every garden.
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About the author
Rupert Foxton-Smythe is a seasoned horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast with over three decades of experience in the field of botany. As a leading expert at Houseplant Guru, Rupert brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for all things green.
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