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Pinks Dianthus chinensis

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:
  • ‘CoronaTM Rose’
  • 'Diamond Blush Pink'
  • 'Diamond Carmine'
  • 'Diamond Coral'
  • 'Diamond Pink'
  • 'Diamond Scarlet'
  • 'Floral Lace Crimson'
  • 'Floral Lace Lilac'
‘CoronaTM Rose’, 'Diamond Blush Pink', 'Diamond Carmine', 'Diamond Coral', 'Diamond Pink', 'Diamond Scarlet', 'Floral Lace Crimson', 'Floral Lace Lilac'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#small spaces#houseplant#drought tolerant#low growing#biennial#white flowers#pink flowers#medicinal#fall interest#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#upright form#mounding#edging#well-drained soil#neutral pH#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#border planting#spring interest#clumping#fantz#Asian garden#sandy 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#container plant#annual#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘CoronaTM Rose’
  • 'Diamond Blush Pink'
  • 'Diamond Carmine'
  • 'Diamond Coral'
  • 'Diamond Pink'
  • 'Diamond Scarlet'
  • 'Floral Lace Crimson'
  • 'Floral Lace Lilac'
‘CoronaTM Rose’, 'Diamond Blush Pink', 'Diamond Carmine', 'Diamond Coral', 'Diamond Pink', 'Diamond Scarlet', 'Floral Lace Crimson', 'Floral Lace Lilac'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#small spaces#houseplant#drought tolerant#low growing#biennial#white flowers#pink flowers#medicinal#fall interest#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#upright form#mounding#edging#well-drained soil#neutral pH#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#border planting#spring interest#clumping#fantz#Asian garden#sandy 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#container plant#annual#herb garden
  • 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