Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 2.0 - 00000511
01/01/98
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8 Height: 24 in Spread: 15 in Type: herbaceous perennial Flowers: Pink, red, salmon, white
Comments: These low plants have nearly grass-like, grayish-green foliage. The flowers are usually double and are produced throughout the summer. The height will vary with the variety of plant. Pinks are easy to grow but do prefer a slightly alkaline soil and good drainage, especially in winter. An individual planting may only last 3 to 4 years before it needs to be replaced with new plants.
Propagation: A number of techniques including layering and cuttings are possible but the usual methods are seeds and division.
Cultivars: The cultivars listed below are variously listed
as D. X allwoodii, D. plumarius or are not attributed to
any group. The hybrid D. X allwoodii are the progeny of a
cross between D. plumarius and a Perpetual Carnation
seedling. The D. X allwoodii cultivars provide a longer
blooming period and bushier plants as compared to D.
plumarius.
'Alpinus' - These Allwood hybrids resulted from
crossing D X allwoodii with the D. alpinus and other
short species. The result was short, 6-inch plants
producing blooms in the full range of normal dianthus
flower colors.
'Aqua' - Double, fragrant white flowers.
'Danielle Marie' - One-foot tall plants produced dark
salmon colored flowers during the entire growing
season.
'Desmond' - Bright red, double flowers.
'Doris' - Semi-double, salmon pink flowers with a
deeper pink eye.
'Essex Witch' - A dwarf only 5 inches tall. Pink
flowers with fringed petals are produced in
abundance.
'Frosty Fire' - Cherry red flowers are flecked with
white.
'Helen' - Double, salmon pink flowers.
'Inchmery' - Pale pink, fragrant flowers.
'Little Bobby' - Red flowers have dark eyes.
'Pink' - Pink flowers and bluish foliage, 1 foot tall.
'Robespierre' - Pink flowers speckled with red, 1 foot
tall.
'Sonata' - Improved form of 'Spring Beauty'.
'Spring Beauty' - Plants 16 inches tall produce double
flowers in a range of pink, rose, slamon and white
shades. Spicy fragrance.
'Velvet 'N Lace' - Dark maroon, fragrant, semi-double
flowers have frilly petals and white edges.
'War Bonnet' - Maroon flowers, plant 12- to 18-inches
tall.
References for Cultivars: Walters Gardens 1997, Wayside Gardens 1996, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1997, Park Seed 1994, Weston Nurseries 1994, White Flower Farm 1997, Lake County Nursery 1997.