Plant DetailShow Menu

Dianthus armeria

Phonetic Spelling
dy-AN-thus ar-MEER-ee-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Dianthus armeria is a non-native which has escaped gardens to become semi-naturalized in most of the US. The name 'Deptford Pink'  refers to the town of Deptford, England where the plant once grew in abundance.

It is common in disturbed soils at low to middle elevations such as abandoned fields, roadsides, and grassy pastures. It grows well in clay, loam or gravelly soil that is somewhat compacted and heavy or nutrient-poor, tolerating drought but not poor drainage. It is common in the North Carolina mountains and Piedmont and less frequently seen in coastal areas.

The flowers lack the scent that makes other members of the genus popular with gardeners. It is less frequently visited by insect pollinators and is generally self-pollinated. It is widespread in naturalized areas because it can grow in less favorable conditions but in higher quality environments it does not compete well with other broadleaf perennials.,

This plant has poison characteristics. It causes low toxicity only if eaten.  Skin irritation is minor or lasting only for a few minutes.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#biennial#pink flowers#fine texture#low maintenance#well-drained soil#neutral pH#fields#lavender flowers#naturalizes#self-seeding#disturbed areas#compaction tolerant#poor soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#fringed flowers#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#spotted leaves#annual#weed#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#biennial#pink flowers#fine texture#low maintenance#well-drained soil#neutral pH#fields#lavender flowers#naturalizes#self-seeding#disturbed areas#compaction tolerant#poor soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#fringed flowers#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#spotted leaves#annual#weed#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dianthus
    Species:
    armeria
    Family:
    Caryophyllaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, and east to the Ukraine and Caucasus
    Distribution:
    Found wild throughout the US except for Arizona, Alaska, and North Dakota
    Wildlife Value:
    Nectar attracts small butterflies, skippers, long-tongued bees.
    Edibility:
    Poisonous
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Elongated seed capsule containing numerous seeds which are orbicular or reniform and flattened with small bumps across the surface.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Wheel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    A small, flat-topped cluster of deep pink flowers with white spots; five spreading petals with jagged edges, a thin bract at the base of the flower, a tubular green calyx with 5 teeth, 10 stamens with pink anthers, and 2 styles
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Lanceolate
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow, slightly pubescent, grasslike leaves are arranged in pairs. The base of each pair of leaves wraps around the stem in a sheath.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stiff, erect stem; slenderly branched, patches of fine white hairs beneath each opposite pair of leaves
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Compaction
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    No reports of ingestion. Mild skin irritation reported from contact with leaves. Vomiting
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Triterpenoid saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves