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Peacock-eye Pink Dianthus pavonius

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
dy-AN-thus pa-VO-nee-us
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Peacock-eye Pink is a small evergreen, herbaceous perennial that forms dense, grass-like mats 4 to 6 inch high and up to 12 inches wide. The plant has dark blue-green leaves and fragrant, single-toothed, bearded pink flowers that are buff colored on the reverse of the petals. Flowers bloom late April into June. It is native to sunny grasslands and rocky slopes in the Alps and Pyrenees up to 9,500’ in elevation.  Plant it in a border front or use it in a rock or crevice garden. The genus name comes from the Greek words dios meaning divine and anthos meaning flower. The species name comes from the Latin pavo which means like a peacock. Many of the plants in the genus Dianthus are commonly called pinks in reference to fringed flower petals that look as if they had been cut with pinking shears.

Peacock-eye Pink does best in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun and prefers organically rich, neutral to slightly alkaline, gritty loams. Good drainage is key and incorporating organic material into the soil can retain moisture in hot summer climates. The plant tolerates drought conditions once established and prompt removal of spent flowers can prolong the bloom period.

Diseases, Insect Pests, Other Plant Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. However, it is susceptible to rust and attack by aphids and slugs.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Rock and Crevice Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Nancy Lindsay'
    Clove fragrance purple-red with white fringe, compact, blue green leaves
'Nancy Lindsay'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#pink flowers#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#groundcover#rock garden#border front#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#crevice garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Nancy Lindsay'
    Clove fragrance purple-red with white fringe, compact, blue green leaves
'Nancy Lindsay'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#pink flowers#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#groundcover#rock garden#border front#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#crevice garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dianthus
    Species:
    pavonius
    Family:
    Caryophyllaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    France, Italy
    Distribution:
    Central Europe and Spain
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Brown seeds within a cylindrical capsule.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Bearded, single-toothed, flowers with a blue or brown heart bloom April to June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Blue-green pointed leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Rock Wall
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Ingestion may cause minor stomach upset
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves