Dianthus plumarius
Pink
a perennial evergreen member of the Dianthus genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Dianthus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 0.4 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The petals are made into cordials, syrups, sauces, vinegars etc[2].
- Plant part
- Flowers
Environment
- Range
- E. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
- Habitat
- Grows in old walls in many parts of Britain[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. 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, taken at flowering time, with four pairs of leaves and trimmed just below a joint[3].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline soil in a sunny well-drained position[3]. Succeeds in dry soils and in poor soils[3]. Plants can be grown on walls[3]. There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[3]. The flowers are very fragrant[1], diffusing a powerful clove-like scent[4]. Individual plants become rather untidy after a few years and are best replaced every 2 - 4 years[3]. Some older cultivars, such as 'Sops in Wine' have a tendency to flower themselves to death. These should be grown in a richer soil in order to encourage the production of more foliage and should not be allowed to flower in their first year[3].
References
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8