Dianthus perennial plants
Dianthus are prized for their beautiful blooms, compact habit and delicious spicy fragrance. Commonly known as pinks, not on account of their colour but rather because their blooms have serrated edges, giving the appearance that they’ve been trimmed with pinking shears. These dainty beauties grow well individually, in groups or mixed with other flowers, usually reaching 15-45cm (6-18 inches) tall. They make lovely cut flowers which will keep in a cool room for around 2 weeks. Versatile and easy to grow, Dianthus belong to a family of plants which includes carnations and can be grown as hardy annuals, biennials or perennials. They have a long flowering period from May through October, fragranced with cinnamon and clove notes. Well-loved for centuries, they’re available in shades of pink, magenta, salmon and white above grey-green evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage. Dianthus are well suited to informal cottage-garden style gardens, rockeries, herbaceous borders and container arrangements. Grow them in full sun in a fertile, well drained soil. Feed with liquid tomato feed whilst flowering and deadhead to encourage repeat blooms.