Practical
Plants

Dianthus gratianopolitanus

Cheddar Pink

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera

Uses

Material uses

Can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[5]. Plants should be placed about 25cm apart each way and form a slowly spreading carpet of growth[7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Western and central Europe from Britain and France to Moravia and Hungary.
Habitat
Carboniferous limestone cliffs[3]. In Britain this species is only found in Cheddar Gorge[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
low
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[2]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings in July/August in a cold frame. Very high percentage[K]. Division in March[2]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

Prefers a dry calcareous soil and a sunny position[2]. Dislikes shade[7]. Plants succeed when grown on the top of a broad or retaining wall[8]. Plants grow well in a maritime environment, though they dislike damp conditions. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[4]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The flowers are strongly clove-scented and are very attractive to butterflies and moths[3]. The double-flowered form, 'Flore Plena' has an even stronger scent.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  7. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  8. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

Edit this page