(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...

(Cheddar Pinks, Twilight Star Cheddar Pinks)

Worthy of top billing in just about any perennial border, Star Series dianthus draw applause with their multicolored, fragrant flowers displayed against compact mounds of handsome blue-green foliage. The fringed, intricately patterned, single flowers are white, pink, red, or purple with boldly contrasting markings. Flowering begins and is heaviest in late spring but may continue sporadically through summer if spent blooms are removed.

Like most pinks, Star Series dianthus like sun and well-drained,...

(Amazon Neon Cherry Sweet William, Sweet William)

A nice new twist on an old favorite, this hybrid of the perennial D. barbatus (sweet William) blooms the first rather than the second year from seed. From late spring to fall, it bears large, showy, flat clusters of vivid rose-pink blooms, which attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The narrow leaves are glossy dark green.

This short-lived perennial likes sun and well drained soil, and tolerates hot summers. Excellent planted in masses, containers or mixed borders, it also makes...

(Amazon Neon Duo Sweet William, Sweet William)

A nice new twist on an old favorite, this hybrid of the perennial D. barbatus (sweet William) blooms the first rather than the second year from seed. From late spring to fall, it bears showy flat flower clusters, some purple and some cherry red. The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The narrow leaves are dark green.

This short-lived perennial likes full sun and well drained soil, and will tolerate hot summers. Excellent planted in masses, containers or mixed...

(Amazon Neon Purple Sweet William, Sweet William)

A nice new twist on an old favorite, this hybrid of the perennial D. barbatus (sweet William) blooms the first rather than the second year from seed. From late spring to fall, it bears showy flat clusters of fragrant purple flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The narrow leaves are dark green.

This short-lived perennial likes full sun and well drained soil, and will tolerate hot summers. Excellent planted in masses, containers or mixed borders, it also makes a...

(Amazon Rose Magic Sweet William, Sweet William)

A nice new twist on an old favorite, this hybrid of the perennial D. barbatus (sweet William) blooms the first rather than the second year from seed. From late spring to fall, it bears showy flat flower clusters, each a unique patchwork of rose, pink, cherry red and white blooms. The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The narrow leaves are dark green.

This short-lived perennial likes full sun and well drained soil, and will tolerate hot summers. Excellent...

(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...

(Aqua Pinks, Hybrid Pinks)

Tufted mounds of deep blue-green foliage create a pretty background for the clove-scented white blooms that cover ‘Aqua’ in late spring and early summer. This perennial Dianthus has fully double flowers and will continue to bloom if its spent flowers are removed. This foliage is semi-evergreen where winters are mild.

Grow Dianthus in full to partial sun and any well-drained garden soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. This is a carefree garden perennial that’s ideal for cottage...

(Arctic Star Dianthus, Hybrid Pinks)

Tufted mounds of gray-green foliage create a pretty background for the white blossoms of ‘Arctic Star.’ The fragrant, fully double flowers appear from late spring to early summer and have sharply pinked petals edges. The spent flowers should be removed to encourage continued bloom. Where winters are mild, the mounds of tidy foliage will remain evergreen.

Grow Dianthus in full to partial sun and any well-drained garden soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. They are low-maintenance, easy...