The Dianthus genus includes over 27,000 registered cultivar names. They are grown as annuals, biennials and evergreen perennials. Flowers are 5-parted, fragrant, pink-lilac, pink-purple or white, often with picotee margins. The common name of 'pinks' does not refer to the color, but to the fringed or frilly edging which looks like it was trimmed with 'pinking shears'. Dianthus should be planted in full sun but can tolerate some shade. Well-drained soil and good air circulation are necessary to avoid root rot and fungal diseases. Dianthus will grow in different soil types, preferring neutral to slightly alkaline soil, but can tolerate some acidity. The petals of the Dianthus flowers are edible when grown organically, and often crystallized with sugar and used for decorating cakes. However, the leaves can cause mild gastrointestinal distress if eaten and mild dermatitis in some sensitive individuals. This plant is resistant to damage by deer but will be eaten by rabbits. It is sometimes offered as a potted florist plant.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Narrow leaves that are 2-3" long, often glaucous grey-green or blue-green, pinnate venation. Often found as parallel pairs on nodes at right angles to each other on the stem.
Fall color
Insignificant
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; Variegated; White
Flower value
Edible; Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Cyme; Head
Flower shape
Wheel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flower has five petals that are flattened and may be found as densely clustered flower heads, open cymes, and rarely as a solitary flower. They are usually self-sterile, requiring pollen from another plant for fertilization.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
cylindric, or rarely ovoid, releasing seeds by 4 teeth or valves.
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Green
Stem detail
terete or angular, articulated, dilated at nodes
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Eurasia, southern Africa
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies and other insect pollinators.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Petals are edible (when free of pesticide and herbicide residues)
Uses (ethnobotany)
Carnation petals have been used to make the French liqueur Chartreuse. Crystallized petals are used for decorating cakes, fresh petals can be used in salads. The bitter petal base is not edible. The leaves should not be eaten as they are mildly toxic.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Rock Wall; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Walkways