Common name:
Cheddar Pinks, Cottage Pinks, Sweet William, Carnations
Botanical name:
Dianthus spp
Dianthus is the quintessential cottage garden plant. They are loved for their blue-green grass like foliage and loads of starry flowers that are often clove scented. The dianthus genus includes over 27,000 registered cultivar varieties.
Removing the spent flowers encourages a second round of blooming. Dianthus attract butterflies and pollinators. They are resistant to damage from deer but will be eaten by rabbits.
- Light Requirements: Part to full sun.
- Water Requirements: Dianthus won’t tolerate overly wet soil and needs a well draining location.
- Characteristics: Growing 4 inches to 3 feet, Dianthus can be annual, biennial or perennial. Flower color ranges from white, yellow, pink, coral, red and purple.
- Uses: Depending on the variety you choose, they can be used as a border plant, in rock gardens, grouped in garden beds. They make great additions to cottage gardens, cutting gardens and in containers.
- Interesting Facts: The common name pink comes from the fringed edges of the petals that look like they were trimmed with pinking shears.
- Varieties:
- ‘Yellow Bling Bling’ has beautiful double yellow, scented blooms and grows 10 to 12 inches tall.
- Perennial ‘Coral Reef’ is an evergreen perennial with deep coral double flowers that have white edges and a spicy fragrance. 8 to 10 inches.
- ‘Sweetie Pie’ produces loads of semi double pink flowers with a darker eye. Mounding foliage, 12 to 14 inches.
Dianthus are also known “Carnations” or “Sweet Williams”
There are around 300-species of Dianthus, and most of them are native to Asia and Eastern Europe
Dianthus flowers consist of five petals, with a zigzag or frilled edge
The Dianthus name comes from the combination of Dios (god) and anthos (flower), from the Greek language, which translates into the “flower of the gods.”
