Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000511
11/12/99

Dianthus x allwoodii--Allwood Pink Dianthus plumarius--Cottage Pink


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 (Vis. 2).
'Aqua' - Double, fragrant white flowers (Vis. 1).
'Berkshire Moon' - Double, 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.
'Hoffman's Red' - Red flowers have darker centers.
'Inchmery' - Pale pink, fragrant flowers.
'Itsaul White' - Pure white flowers.
'Little Bobby' - Red flowers have dark eyes.
'Margaret Curtis' - White flowers have dark red centers.
'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, salmon 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 1999, Wayside
Gardens 1999, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1999, Park Seed 1994,
Weston Nurseries 1999, White Flower Farm 1999, Lake County
Nursery 1997, Sheridan Nurseries 1999, Midwest Groundcovers
1999, Willoway Nurseries 1999.


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