Green Lake Nursery has a nice assortment of cheddar/spice pink type dianthus, each very similar, yet each a little different.

The basic growing requirements are the same. They like loose well-drained slightly alkaline soil. Full sun with afternoon shade is preferred in north Texas. More lush foliage occur in the cooler months. Regular watering is needed during prolonged dry spells. Place mulch around the roots in the summer to keep roots cool and soil from drying.

General appearances are very similar. Evergreen mounds of narrow, glaucous leaves form tufts that grow anywhere from 3-6” tall with vertical bloom stalks adding another 4-5”. Mounds can spread 6-8”.

Heaviest blooms occur late in winter and in early spring. Sporadic blooms occur throughout the year. The blooms are mostly 1-1.5” across, and make good cut flowers. Depending on the variety, flowers can be double, semi-double, or single, singles bearing five delicate petals. Most have fringed edges and a delectable spicy clove scent.

The term “pink” comes from the verb “to pink” as in the fringed pattern made when using pinking shears. The word dianthus is of Greek origin. Dios means god and anthos means flower…flowers of the gods. A fitting description for such well loved flowers.

 

Bath’s Pink is single with delicate pale pink fringed petals. Named after Jane Bath of Stone Mt, Georgia.

 

 

 

 

Cranberry Ice is single, fringed with cranberry pink petals topped by pale pink patches, some patches resemble hearts.

 

 

 

 

Eastern Star is single, slightly fringed raspberry red with a raisin red center halo.

 

 

 

 

Fire Star is single slightly fringed, red with crimson red center.

 

 

 

 

Firewitch has single fringed hot pink petals. 2006 Perennial of the Year.

 

 

 

 

Passion is double flowered, deep velvet red.

 

 

 

 

Neon Star is single fringed magenta-pink.

 

 

 

 

Roshish One is semi-double, dark rose with delicate white edges.

 

 

 

 

Starlette is double petaled, fringed magenta with deep burgundy center.

 

 

 

 

Tickled Pink is a double with lavender pink slightly fringed petals.

 

 

 

 

Wicked Witch is single fringed cherry red. A mutation of Firewitch, just a deeper more intense color