Dianthus plumarius
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-AN-thus ploo-MAY-ree-us
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Dianthus plumarius is a compact evergreen ground cover that is suitable for rock gardens, along paths, over slopes and rock walls. The blooms are spicy/clove-scented with ruffled and fringed petals in shades and combinations of pink, red and white. They bloom from May through August.
The plants need sun and well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Although not truly drought tolerant, they are tolerant of dry soil and prefer to dry between waterings. They do not tolerate wet, poorly drained soils, which can lead to disease. Deadheading plants can extend the flowering period and can best be done by shearing spent flowers after blooming. Division in spring is recommended every 2-3 years.
Problems:
Diseases: Wet, poorly drained soils make plants susceptible to crown rot and fungal rot.
Pests: Slugs, cutworms, aphids, caterpillars, thrips and red spider mites.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Retaining Wall Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Birmingham'
- 'Cottage Pink'
- 'Birmingham'
- 'Birmingham', 'Cottage Pink'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Birmingham'
- 'Cottage Pink'
- 'Birmingham'
- 'Birmingham', 'Cottage Pink'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dianthus
- Species:
- plumarius
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Petals can be made into cordials, syrups, sauces, and vinegars.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Alps to North Western Balkan Peninsula
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Defines Paths
- Fragrance
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Mounding
- 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)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- 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, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The dehiscent capsule splits open when ripe; few seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are radially symmetric, hermaphrodite, gathered in scapes of 3–5 flowers, with 10 stamens, with deeply cut, fringed petals. Flowering period is May through August.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow, grasslike, gray-green or blue-green leaves, 1-4 in. long are opposite, simple, linear and sessile, more or less erect and flexuous.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stem is green, erect, glabrous and branched on the top, with a sheath embracing the stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Recreational Play Area
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
