China pinks are biennials or short-lived perennials which are primarily grown as annuals as they do not perform well in hot and humid summers. They grow best in average well-drained soils with dry to medium moisture, in full sun but with afternoon shade in warmer climates. This pink has an abundance of flowers that are flat, heavily fringed, and with a darker central eye. They should be deadheaded and trimmed after periods of heavy bloom to encourage additional flowering. It is sometimes offered as a potted florist plant. Problems: China pinks are susceptible to crown rot and rust if the soil is poorly drained, and may also be troubled by slugs and snails if grown in too much shade.
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); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Mounding
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Denticulate; Entire
Leaf feel
Waxy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are narrow and often gray-green, waxy with a prominent midvein. The base is slightly narrowed, with the margin entire or denticulate, and the apex acuminate.
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Wheel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
flowers 5-parted, often fragrant, pink-lilac, pink-purple or white.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The cylindrical capsule is surrounded by sepals; black seeds are flattened globes.
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Green
Stem detail
Stems loosely growing in clusters or tufts, erect, distally branched.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Northern China, Korea, Mongolia, and southeastern Russia
This plant is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a bitter tonic to stimulate the digestive and urinary systems and bowels to treat cystitis, urinary stones, and constipation. It is also used externally for skin inflammations and swellings. The plants are harvested before the flowers bloom and then dried.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Small Space
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden