How to Grow and Care for Dianthus

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a herbaceous ornamental perennial known for its fragrant, distinctive flowers. Wild varieties of this species can be found in the Mediterranean. Carnation has rich symbolism, both in the traditional and religious sense. Its symbolic representations can be found in numerous cultures, from North America to the far East.

There are two thoughts on the origin of the sweet william name. The first is that it was named after the Duke of Cumberland, William Augustus. The second is that the name came from the writings of Thomas Tusser, an English poet. In either case, this old-fashioned garden plant (Dianthus barbatus) is a lovely addition to any space.

Chinese pink (Dianthus chinensis) is a perennial flowering herb native to China, Russia, and Mongolia. In the wild, chinese pink grows in dense woodlands and forests. In cultivation, it is a common ornamental plant grow in hanging baskets and planters.

Garden pink (Dianthus plumarius) is a compact evergreen perennial that can grow to be 15 to 61 cm tall. It blooms in spring with pink, red or white fragrant flowers. Garden pink blossoms have a wheel-like shape and a long blooming season. This species grows best in full sunlight. It attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. This species has toxic seeds and can be a skin irritant for people and pets.

This showy wildflower is a popular garden plant naturally occurring in mountains in Eurasia. Fringed pink is a flower of high altitudes, growing at elevations up to 2400 m. It's the only food source of the large moth (Coleophora muscularly).