Lady's Cushion Dianthus deltoides
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Lady's Cushion:
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-AN-thus del-TOY-deez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Dianthus deltoides, commonly known as maiden pink, is a flowering plant in the Caryophyllaceae or carnation family. The species, deltoides, means the Greek letter delta (Δ), possibly referring to the narrowly triangular leaves.
Maiden Pink is native to Europe and western Asia but has since been introduced to the United States where it can be found in the upper midwest of the United States and all of Canada. It is an herbaceous perennial that blooms from May to July, preferring well-drained soils in full sun.
This plant provides excellent groundcover for landscapes as it produces many blooms in shades of red, pink, lavender or white with a darker star-like ring near the center.
Problems:
Leaf spot can infect plants in humid summers, where plants are crowded. Crown rot can be a problem when planted in wet, poorly drained soils. Good drainage is essential to avoid disease and die out in the center. Division is recommended every 2-3 years for healthy plants and to avoid overcrowding.
- 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:
- deltoides
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe to Siberia
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies.m
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Defines Paths
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Edibility:
- Poisonous
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 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
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule is dry and splits open when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- These flowers are 5-petaled, bright pink, reddish-purple to lavender or sometimes white. They are long-stalked with broad petals notched at the petal tip and with a dark ring near the center.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Hairy, loosely tufted prostrate shoots with short narrow leaves that are often gray with a waxy feel
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
