did you know?

Because so many dianthus bear flowers in shades of pink, one might assume they got their common name from their color. Wrong. In fact, the color pink received its name from the flower. Some authorities assert the common name was derived from dianthus's fringed petals, which look as if they've been trimmed with pinking shears.

general maintenance:

Deadhead spent flowers. Remove old foliage after frost or before new growth resumes in spring. Shear back after flowering to encourage rebloom in northern climates.

pests/diseases:

Fungal diseases that cause crown rot, slugs, sow bugs, and grasshoppers may occur.

controls:

For crown rot, remove severely diseased plants, reduce soil moisture, and increase drainage to prevent advancement. Handpick slugs, sow bugs, and grasshoppers.

how to sow/plant:

Start with new plants or rooted cuttings. Choose a very well-drained site in full sun. Set plants at the same depth they were in their pots, spacing them 10 inches apart. Mulch with stone, gravel, or sand, as organic mulches may encourage crown rot.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil moisture all season, keeping it uniformly moist without overwatering. Feed with a balanced fertilizer after flowering, following package directions.

garden hint:

Beyond their unbending need to have very well-drained soil, pinks are quite easy to grow. And they can be quickly propagated from cuttings, which is good news because they can be short-lived plants.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Drought Tolerant
• Fragrant

garden uses:

• Containers
• Edging
• Flowerbed borders
• Ground Cover
• Rock Garden

other uses:

• Culinary/Edible (candy flowers or add petals to salads)
• Cut Flower

combine with:

blue fescue ( 'Elijah Blue'), opium poppy stonecrop ( 'Carnea'), and lamb's ear ( 'Helene Von Stein').