Illustration of Dianthus alpinus by Anton Hartinger (1882). [Public Domain]
Genus: Dianthus
Common Names: various (includes carnations, pinks, sweet williams, and more)
Description coming soon.
Distribution: mostly Europe and Asia with several species in Africa and one in North America
Our Selection
Dianthus 'Dainty Dame'
Description: perennial; a dwarf cultivar introduced by Ingwersens of the U.K. in the 1980s. Linear, blue-green foliage and white flowers with a stark maroon eye in spring. One of the most reliable for a second flush of blooms in autumn.
Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 10 in.
Dianthus 'Eydangeri'
Description: perennial; a very low-growing pink that forms a tidy, compact cushion of blue-green foliage. Small but fragrant pink flowers in spring and into summer.
Height: to 4 in. Spread: to 2 ft.
Dianthus ex 'Inchmery'
Description: perennial; an antique cultivar grown since the 1700s. Flat, double shell pink flowers that pale as they age. Exceptionally fragrant, clove-scented flowers that bloom later and for longer than many dianthus. Narrow, blue-green foliage forms a low mound.
Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 18 in.
Dianthus ex 'Sops in Wine'
Description: perennial; a rather disputed cultivar that also once served as a common name for dianthus to add further confusion. At any rate, a lot of nurseries settled on this form because the white spots on each petal resemble sops (bread) floating in wine. Low-growing and spreading into a tight cushion of blue-green foliage.
Height: to 6 in. Spread: to 2 ft.
Dianthus ex 'Unique'
Description: perennial; truly unique being that there are several different clones being sold as 'Unique' in the trade. Ours looks vaguely familiar to a plate in Richard Bird's 1994 book, Border Pinks. Narrow, blue-green foliage forms a low cushion. Very fragrant crimson flowers with dark pink splotches on each petal.
Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 10 in.
Dianthus sp. (Clove Pinks)
Description: perennial; an unnamed form of an unknown species or hybrid that the family acquired 20 years prior to starting our nursery. Regardless, its one of our favorite pinks and one of the best bloomers. Forms a compact, tidy cushion of narrow blue-green foliage and blooms frilly, pale pink flowers in late spring and summer. One of the best for cut flowers.
Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 18 in.