Dianthus chinensis

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Dianthus

  Species:

  chinensis

  Family:

  Caryophyllaceae

  Uses (Ethnobotany):

  This plant is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a bitter tonic to stimulate the digestive and urinary systems and bowels to treat cystitis, urinary stones, and constipation. It is also used externally for skin inflammations and swellings. The plants are harvested before the flowers bloom and then dried.

  Life Cycle:

  Annual

  Biennial

  Perennial

  Recommended Propagation Strategy:

  Seed

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  Northern China, Korea, Mongolia, and southeastern Russia

  Wildlife Value:

  Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

  Play Value:

  Attractive Flowers

  Attracts Pollinators

  Colorful

  Fragrance

  Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

  Deer and rabbit resistant

  Dimensions:

  Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.

  Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Annual

  Herbaceous Perennial

  Perennial

  Poisonous

  Habit/Form:

  Clumping

  Erect

  Mounding

  Growth Rate:

  Medium

  Maintenance:

  Medium

• 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)

  Sand

  Soil pH:

  Alkaline (>8.0)

  Neutral (6.0-8.0)

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

  Occasionally Dry

  Available Space To Plant:

  Less than 12 inches

  NC Region:

  Coastal

  Mountains

  Piedmont

  USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

  6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Black

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Fall

  Fruit Type:

  Capsule

  Fruit Length:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Width:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Description:

  The cylindrical capsule is surrounded by sepals; black seeds are flattened globes.

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Pink

  Red/Burgundy

  White

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Cyme

  Flower Value To Gardener:

  Fragrant

  Showy

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Spring

  Summer

  Flower Shape:

  Wheel

  Flower Petals:

  4-5 petals/rays

  Flower Size:

  1-3 inches

  Flower Description:

  flowers 5-parted, often fragrant, pink-lilac, pink-purple or white.

• Leaves:

  Leaf Color:

  Blue

  Gray/Silver

  Green

  Leaf Feel:

  Waxy

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Opposite

  Leaf Shape:

  Elliptical

  Lanceolate

  Linear

  Leaf Margin:

  Denticulate

  Entire

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Length:

  1-3 inches

  Leaf Width:

  < 1 inch

  Leaf Description:

  Leaves are narrow and often gray-green, waxy with a prominent midvein. The base is slightly narrowed, with the margin entire or denticulate, and the apex acuminate.

• Stem:

  Stem Color:

  Gray/Silver

  Green

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

  Stem Description:

  Stems loosely growing in clusters or tufts, erect, distally branched.

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Container

  Patio

  Small Space

  Landscape Theme:

  Asian Garden

  Butterfly Garden

  Cottage Garden

  Drought Tolerant Garden

  Rock Garden

  Design Feature:

  Border

  Attracts:

  Butterflies

  Hummingbirds

  Songbirds

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Deer

  Drought

  Dry Soil

  Rabbits

  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. Skin irritation reported from contact with clove pinks; minor and lasts only a few minutes, and vomiting.

  Poison Toxic Principle:

  Triterpenoid saponins

  Causes Contact Dermatitis:

  Yes

  Poison Part:

  Leaves