Genus: Dianthus

Common Names: various (includes carnations, pinks, sweet William, and more)

A genus of around 340 species of mostly herbaceous perennials with simple, linear leaves. Many species have been in cultivation for over 300 years and have been bred extensively as ornamentals and for cut flowers. 

Distribution: mostly Europe and Asia with several species in Africa and one in North America

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. Blooms in spring but is 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 vigorous, very low-growing pink that forms a tidy, compact cushion of blue-green foliage. Small but fragrant pink flowers from spring into summer. 

Height: to 4 in. Spread: to 2 ft.

Dianthus 'Inchmery'

Description: perennial; an antique cultivar grown since the 1700s. Flat, double shell pink flowers that pale as they age. Narrow, blue-green foliage forms a low, evergreen mound. The exceptionally fragrant clove-scented flowers bloom later and for longer than most other pinks.

Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 18 in.

Dianthus 'Pheasant's Eye'

Description: perennial; an antique cultivar grown since the 1671. Fragrant, semi-double white flowers with maroon centers and fringed petals bloom from spring into summer. Narrow, blue-green foliage forms a low, evergreen mound.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 18 in.

Dianthus 'Sops in Wine'

Description: perennial; a rather disputed cultivar (there are multiple clones in the nursery trade) that also once served as a common name for the genus as a whole 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 into a tight cushion of blue-green foliage with fragrant flowers in spring. 

Height: to 6 in. Spread: to 2 ft.

Dianthus 'Unique'

Description: perennial; truly unique being that there are several different clones being sold as 'Unique' in the trade. Ours looks similar enough to a plate in Richard Bird's 1994 book, Border Pinks. Very fragrant crimson flowers with dark pink splotches on each petal in spring. Narrow, blue-green foliage forms a low, evergreen cushion.

Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 10 in.

Dianthus arpadianus

Description: perennial; a very dense, evergreen cushion of pointed blue-green foliage. Pale flowers on relatively long stems are held above the foliage in spring. 

Height: to 4 in. Spread: to 15 in.

Dianthus pungens subsp. hispanicus

Description: perennial; a dense, evergreen cushion of pointed blue-green foliage. Very fragrant white flowers from spring into summer. 

Height: to 4 in. Spread: to 15 in.

Dianthus sp. (Clove Pinks)

Description: perennial; an unnamed form of an unknown species or hybrid that our family acquired 20 years prior to starting our nursery. Regardless, it's 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.

Dianthus spiculifolius

Description: perennial; endemic to the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine and Romania. A dense, evergreen cushion of pointed blue-green foliage. Lacy, white flowers with central maroon spots in spring. 

Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 15 in.

Dianthus subacaulis

Description: perennial; very dense blue-green foliage and fragrant, small pink flowers in spring. Rare in cultivation. 

Height: to 4 in. Spread: to 10 in.