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Dianthus plumarius

Phonetic Spelling
dy-AN-thus ploo-MAY-ree-us
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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:
  • 'Birmingham'
  • 'Cottage Pink'
'Birmingham', 'Cottage Pink'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#fragrant flowers#low growing#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#mounding#edging#well-drained soil#bicolor#spreading#mat#rich soils#deer resistant#children's garden#groundcover#rock garden#self-seeding#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#clumping#poor soils tolerant#border front#compact habit#sandy soils tolerant#garden walls#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#fringed flowers#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Birmingham'
  • 'Cottage Pink'
'Birmingham', 'Cottage Pink'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#fragrant flowers#low growing#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#mounding#edging#well-drained soil#bicolor#spreading#mat#rich soils#deer resistant#children's garden#groundcover#rock garden#self-seeding#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#clumping#poor soils tolerant#border front#compact habit#sandy soils tolerant#garden walls#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#fringed flowers#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem is green, erect, glabrous and branched on the top, with a sheath embracing the stem
  • 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
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    It causes low toxicity only if eaten. Skin irritation is minor or lasting only for a few minutes, vomiting.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Triterpenoid saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves