Pinks Dianthus chinensis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Pinks:
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-AN-thus chi-NEN-sis
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
China pinks are biennials or short-lived perennials which are primarily grown as annuals as they do not perform well in hot and humid summers. They grow best in average well-drained soils with dry to medium moisture, in full sun but with afternoon shade in warmer climates. This pink has an abundance of flowers that are flat, heavily fringed, and with a darker central eye. They should be deadheaded and trimmed after periods of heavy bloom to encourage additional flowering.
Problems:
China pinks are susceptible to crown rot and rust if the soil is poorly drained, and may also be troubled by slugs and snails if grown in too much shade.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘CoronaTM Rose’
- 'Diamond Blush Pink'
- 'Diamond Carmine'
- 'Diamond Coral'
- 'Diamond Pink'
- 'Diamond Scarlet'
- 'Floral Lace Crimson'
- 'Floral Lace Lilac'
- ‘CoronaTM Rose’
- ‘CoronaTM Rose’, 'Diamond Blush Pink', 'Diamond Carmine', 'Diamond Coral', 'Diamond Pink', 'Diamond Scarlet', 'Floral Lace Crimson', 'Floral Lace Lilac'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘CoronaTM Rose’
- 'Diamond Blush Pink'
- 'Diamond Carmine'
- 'Diamond Coral'
- 'Diamond Pink'
- 'Diamond Scarlet'
- 'Floral Lace Crimson'
- 'Floral Lace Lilac'
- ‘CoronaTM Rose’
- ‘CoronaTM Rose’, 'Diamond Blush Pink', 'Diamond Carmine', 'Diamond Coral', 'Diamond Pink', 'Diamond Scarlet', 'Floral Lace Crimson', 'Floral Lace Lilac'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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)
- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems loosely growing in clusters or tufts, erect, distally branched.
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-
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
