Dianthus armeria
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-AN-thus ar-MEER-ee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Grass pink is a non-native annual or biennial that 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.,
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
