Pinks Perennials

Pinks perennials provide excellent flowers and foliage for any type of garden. No matter what your gardening zone, you can grow pinks perennials. There are over 300 species with many fine cultivars available at your local garden center or through mail order.

Pinks perennials grow throughout Europe, Asia, North America and even parts of Africa. The proper name for the genus is dianthus. Writings dating as far back as the 14th century refer to the dianthus flower as pinks. The color pink itself is named after the dianthus flower. Even the sewing tool known as pinking shears, a type of scissor that creates a wavy edge, may be named after the ruffled dianthus flower. Gardeners throughout the ages have included pinks in some form in perennial gardens and fragrance gardens. Relatives of pinks include Carnations and Sweet Williams.

As the name suggests, most pinks perennials are pink. Within this color spectrum, however, many variations occur. Choose from deep fuchsia to white edged with just a touch of rose. All pinks have ruffled flowers and long, needle-like leaves. Leaf color varies from deep green to a beautiful gray-green color that adds elegance to the garden even when the pinks have ceased blooming.

Some varieties to try include:

• Dianthus deltoides, also called Maiden Pinks, pictured above. Easily found at most garden centers, these plants aren’t fussy about their growing conditions and often thrive with little care.
• Dianthus plumarius, or Common Pinks. With its clear, bright pink color and bright green foliage, this is what most people think of when they use the term ‘pinks’.
• Dianthus caryophyllus, Carnation or Clove Pink. These flowers have a spicy, strong fragrance.

Pinks perennials require full sun, defined as at least four to five hours of direct sunlight per day. They prefer well-drained, loamy soil that is slightly alkaline, with a pH near 6.7. Amend soil with compost to ensure good drainage. They bloom in late spring until late summer, with some continuing to bloom sporadically in the fall.

Perennial pinks may be found at local garden centers or home improvement stores. While pinks are easily propagated from both seeds and cuttings, starting with large, healthy plants establishes these cheerful flowers on a stronger footing.

To plant your pinks, dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the pot. Amend the soil with compost and place the plant in the hole, placing soil only along the crown line. Do not mound soil against the central portion of the plant, as pinks need good air circulation to thrive. Pinks also do not like to be mulched, so skip the mulch and simply tamp or press the soil down around the plant with your hand to ensure that no air pockets remain.

Water pinks once a week or more, depending on conditions. Pinks prefer well-drained soil. Keep soil slightly dry rather than sopping wet.

Pinks require only a mild, balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer. They will bloom spring through fall. Deadheading or snipping spent blossoms off the pinks neatens their appearance and encourages new flowers to form.

Pinks remain fairly small, growing only about twenty-four inches tall at most. Many gardeners plant them in rock gardens or as part of a perennial border. Because of their strong, clove-like fragrance, pinks are often planted as part of a fragrance garden. Plant pinks in clusters of three to five plants for the most natural effect.

Very few insects or disease trouble pinks. Larvae of the cabbage moth feed upon pinks, but other insects tend to avoid them. One noticeable problem with pinks is their leaves turning yellow or brown. If you notice this happening on your pinks, decrease watering and be sure the crown has good air circulation. Yellowing leaves are often a sign in pinks of too much water, rather than too little. Another common problem among pinks is mildew or fungus. Typically this problem appears in August, especially in humid climates. Use a fungicide as directed to counteract this problem.

For more information on growing pinks:

• Visit Garden Hobbies: How to Grow Dianthus
• The Gardeners Network includes advice, information, and propagation techniques for pinks.

• Winter Squash Plants Photos
• Sugar Maple Tree Picture
• What Plants Grow in Winter

• Gardenia Plant Care
• Jasmine
• How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace
• Honeysuckle
• Maple Tree Diseases

• ga