Dianthus (Caryophyllaceae) - Pinks

Known as pinks, not for their color, which the color is named after, but for the deeply cut, frilly flower petals, The term ‘pinked’ is an old world word for cutting decorative edging in clothes etc. The classic cottage garden species, superbus, is tall with willowy leaves. The flowers bloom all summer if cut back mid-season and emit an unforgettable aroma. Free flowing and easy to grow. We also have several of the low, mound forming species that do well on edges and crevices of walls. Arenarius, ‘Little maiden’, has deeply fringed, aromatic white flowers in midsummer. It is a slowly colonizing mound of narrow leaved, blue-green foliage. Gratianopolitanus is similar to the former but a bit taller and with pink flowers. Known commonly as ‘Cheddar pinks’. There will be others as we grow out other species from this beautiful and varied genus.