Dianthus chinensis
Annual Chinese pink, Indian pink
- Height × spread
- 0.7m × 0.2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This pretty annual, biennial or short lived perennial has light green foliage with broadly linear leaves that make a rather upright clump. The open faced flowers are rounded with a surround of deep petals. The blooms come in a range of pink, and pink and white shades and there are many hybrid forms. The original form was said to be a red flowered biennial. They are not naturally a long flowering species and the various cultivars and hybrids are more commonly grown since they are likely to flower for a longer period. Give this sunny well drained neutral or alkaline soil. This stands around 70cm (2ft 6in) high with a 20 cm (8in) spread
- Flower colour
- Red, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.7m
- Spread
- 0.2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Rock garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin allergen
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support tall stems
The plant may require support for long stems. Provide an artificial frame which it can grow through, or loosely tie the whole plant. A network of twigs can be woven together to provide a framework through which the plant can grow.
Tall stems can lean or be battered by weather. Support the plant to keep its vertical lines, aiming for a natural appearance which is easy on the eye.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
More Dianthus
Dianthus
Carnation, Pink, Clove, Flower of the Gods, Garden pinks, Hardy pinks
Dianthus 'Corona Raspberry Magic'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Devon Arctic Star'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Devon Flavia'
Carnation
Dianthus 'Devon Winnie'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Devon Yolande'
Carnation
Dianthus 'Kahori Pink'
Carnation
Dianthus 'Kahori'
Carnation, Pink, Clove