(Hybrid Sweet William)

The genus Dianthus comprises approximately 300 species and more than 27,000 cultivars. Collectively known as “pinks”, these showy flowering plants have been grown for many hundreds of years. Their common name was given for the sharply-toothed petal tips of their flowers, which look like they were cut by pinking shears.

Nearly all Dianthus species hail from Eurasia and northern Africa, while only one originates from North America. Most are herbaceous tender perennials; however...

(Dianthus, Pinks, Raspberry Parfait Pink)

China pink ‘Raspberry Parfait’ creates a show-stopping display with its striking raspberry red and light pink flowers which resemble small bullseyes. A member of the Super Parfait Series, it forms a rounded mound of linear, somewhat grass-like, blue-green foliage. Numerous single, lightly fragrant flowers appear on short, sturdy stems from late spring through midsummer. Each flower is light pink with petals edged in dark pink, and bears a distinct, central “eye” of raspberry red.

Valued...

(Cheddar Pinks, Eastern Star Dianthus)

The Star Series dianthus are hybrid perennials selected for their dwarf mounded habit, blue-green leaves, and brilliantly colored, fragrant flowers. The cultivar 'Red Dwarf' bears raspberry-rose flowers with maroon eyes from late spring to early summer (and longer if deadheaded). 'Red Dwarf' likes sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. It works well in the rock garden or at the front of the sunny border.

(Dianthus, Rosish One Dianthus)

Hybrid border pink ‘Rosish One’ bears fragrant, double flowers whose rosy-magenta petals are crisply edged with white. They appear from late spring through midsummer atop compact, spreading mounds of linear, grasslike, silvery green foliage. The colorful blossoms are held singly on sturdy, upright stems, and are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Grow this charming small perennial in full to part sun and fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Offering good drought resistance,...

(Dianthus, Pinks, Snowfire Pink)

Winner of the All-America Selections award in 1978, China pink ‘Snowfire’ produces drifts of large, single white flowers with bright, rose-red centers. The lightly fragrant blossoms appear from late spring throughout summer atop compact mounds of linear, grasslike, green foliage. They are held singly on short, sturdy stems, and are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Valued for their colorful, prolific flowers, China pinks are short-lived perennials which are commonly treated as annuals. Plant...

(Cheddar Pinks, Spangled Star Cheddar Pinks)

The Star Series dianthus are hybrid perennials selected for their dwarf, mounded habit, blue-green leaves, and brilliantly colored, clove-scented flowers. The cultivar 'Spangled Star' bears fragrant, fringed, scarlet flowers with bright pink blotches and margins from late spring through summer (if deadheaded). Plant in full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. 'Spangled Star' works well in the rock garden or at the front of the sunny border.

(Dianthus, Super Trooper Lilac on Purple Dianthus)

Easy to grow and long-blooming, dwarf hybrid carnation 'Super Trooper Lilac on Purple' features striking, multi-colored flowers which bloom continuously from late spring through midsummer. Appearing most heavily in spring, the double flowers are purple and magenta-pink with petal edges thinly edged in white. They are borne on short, sturdy stems atop neat clumps of linear, waxy blue-green foliage.

Grow this charming short-lived perennial in full to part sun and fertile, well-drained, neutral...

(Dianthus, Super Trooper Sun Yellow Dianthus)

Easy to grow and long-blooming, dwarf hybrid carnation 'Super Trooper Sun Yellow’ displays double yellow flowers which bloom continuously from late spring through midsummer. The cheerful blossoms may bear hints of peach and orange, and appear most heavily in spring. They are held on short, sturdy stems atop neat clumps of linear, waxy, blue-green foliage.

Grow this charming, short-lived perennial in full to part sun and fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Offering good drought...

(Dianthus, Supra Purple Dianthus)

China pinks are short-lived, herbaceous perennials which are native to central and southern China. Commonly treated as annuals in the garden, they are valued for their colorful, prolific flowers displayed over a long period in summer. They typically bloom in the first year from seed, and have been bred to produce an array of solid and bicolor flowers in shades of pink, white and red.

Appearing from late spring throughout summer, the flat, disk-like flowers of China pinks have heavily fringed...

(Dianthus, Telstar Carmine Rose Dianthus)

With its showy flowers and long season of bloom, this hybrid of sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) and Dianthus chinensis is a star of the late spring, summer, and fall garden (or the winter garden in mild climates). Flat heads of dramatic, magenta-rose flowers emerge in late spring and seem to float atop compact, narrow-leaved plants. The fringed blooms are mildly fragrant.

Telstar Carmine Rose is perfect for mixed borders, edging, containers, or cottage gardens. It also works well as...