(Dianthus, Passion Dianthus, Pinks)

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...

(Cottage Pinks)

Plants in the Dianthus Allwoodii group are compact, semi-evergreen, cushion-forming perennials resulting from crossing Dianthus plumarius (cottage pink) with perpetual-flowering carnations. This cross produced a beautiful array of double flowers in shades of white, pink, and red. Tufts of narrow, gray-green leaves are almost hidden by masses of fragrant flowers in late spring and early summer. Deadheading will encourage sporadic rebloom in summer and early fall.

This dianthus does best in full...

(Amazon Pinks, Dianthus, Pinks)

A nice new twist on an old favorite, these hybrids of the perennial D. barbatus (sweet William) bloom the first rather than the second year from seed. From late spring to fall, they bear showy flat flower clusters in purple, pink, rose, or white. The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The narrow leaves are dark green.

These short-lived perennials like full sun and well drained soil, and will tolerate hot summers. Excellent planted in masses, containers or...

(Bouquet Pinks, Hybrid Pinks)

The Dianthus in the Bouquet Series were developed for the cut flower industry but are great for home gardeners too. They have long, strong stems topped with lots of colorful small pinked flowers. These vigorous hybrids are the product of a cross between Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) and China pinks (D. chinensis and bloom in the first year from seed.

Their upright, branched flower stems rise from clumps of waxy, strappy, evergreen leaves in late spring. They become...

(Confetti Pinks, Dianthus, Pinks)

Members of the Confetti Series produce a profusion of small, serrated blooms above low growing, tufted, evergreen foliage. The popular cultivar 'Confetti Carmine Rose' has magenta-pink flowers stenciled with maroon at their centers and edges. Flowering peaks in late spring and early summer and repeats later if plants are deadheaded. The handsome, narrow leaves are gray-green.

These pinks prefer sun or partial shade, but excessive shade will cause legginess and reduced bloom. Plant them in well...

(Dessert Pinks, Dianthus, Pinks)

Decadence without the guilt! The Dessert Series of Dianthus offers sweet fragrance and fruity color combinations in pinks, purples and a cool, dark berry red. Growing as dense, compact mounds, they make premier additions to a mixed border, container or cottage garden.

It's best to treat these as annuals in areas with colder winter climates. Excellent vigor and disease resistence with these full summer to early fall bloomers is the cherry on top of the Dessert Series dianthus.

(Devon Cottage Pinks, Pinks)

A series of hybrids recently developed in England, these little dears will surely steal your heart. Seated atop a nest of spikey, grey-green foliage, the semi-double to double, cheerfully fringed flowers arrive each spring in an abundant array of pure white, pinks, reds and bicolor combinations. Flowering continues through summer, though it may dwindle during the hotter months.

Their spicy-sweet frangrance and slender stems make these hybrid pinks ideal for arranging, but be sure to leave some...

(Diana Mix Dianthus, Dianthus)

The dwarf pinks in this mix have extra large flowers in a variety of colors. They are free-blooming, easy to grow and great for sunny garden spots in need or fragrance and bright color.

These hybrid perennials form neat clumps of green, waxy, strap-like leaves. From late spring into midsummer, their short stems become covered with big, flattened flowers that are fragrant and have fine pinked edges. The blooms may be white, red, pink, burgundy or bicolored. Deadheading will encourage further...

(Dwarf Hybrid Carnation)

Known for their dwarf, compact habit, large-size flowers and improved tolerance to summer heat, the Diana Series of hybrid pinks or carnations comprise about 12 selections. Developed by the Dutch company Hem Genetics, they are short-lived perennials that are most often grown as annual bedding plants. Their neat clumps of green to dark green, waxy, narrow leaves are topped with single-form flowers from early spring through midsummer, depending on local climate. Flower diameters range between 1 and...

(Dianthus, Dynasty Pinks, Pinks)

A new and unique take on an old-fashioned biennial (or short-lived perennial), these hybrids of Dianthus barbatus (sweet William) bear heads of lightly fragrant double flowers that resemble carnations. Produced 3 to 4 months after sowing on strong upright stems clad in narrow dark green leaves, the white, purple, pink, or red flower heads are ideal for cutting.

Frost tolerant and requiring minimal maintenance, Dynasty dianthus appreciate a home in full sun and well drained, neutral soil....