Grass pink is a non-native annual or biennial that has escaped gardens to become semi-naturalized in most of the US. The name 'Deptford Pink' refers to the town of Deptford, England where the plant once grew in abundance. It is common in disturbed soils at low to middle elevations such as abandoned fields, roadsides, and grassy pastures. It grows well in clay, loam or gravelly soil that is somewhat compacted and heavy or nutrient-poor, tolerating drought but not poor drainage. It is common in the North Carolina mountains and Piedmont and less frequently seen in coastal areas. The flowers lack the scent that makes other members of the genus popular with gardeners. It is less frequently visited by insect pollinators and is generally self-pollinated. It is widespread in naturalized areas because it can grow in less favorable conditions but in higher quality environments it does not compete well with other broadleaf perennials.,
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.
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); Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Acicular; Lanceolate; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Narrow, slightly pubescent, grasslike leaves are arranged in pairs. The base of each pair of leaves wraps around the stem in a sheath.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Wheel
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
A small, flat-topped cluster of deep pink flowers with white spots; five spreading petals with jagged edges, a thin bract at the base of the flower, a tubular green calyx with 5 teeth, 10 stamens with pink anthers, and 2 styles
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Elongated seed capsule containing numerous seeds which are orbicular or reniform and flattened with small bumps across the surface.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stiff, erect stem; slenderly branched, patches of fine white hairs beneath each opposite pair of leaves
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, and east to the Ukraine and Caucasus
Distribution
Found wild throughout the US except for Arizona, Alaska, and North Dakota
Wildlife value
Nectar attracts small butterflies, skippers, long-tongued bees.