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Herbaceous Perennial

Dianthus chinensis (p,a)

Chinese pink

A very variable species that is native to a vast area, from Europe into Asia. A short-lived herbaceous perennial, but plants bred from this species are often grown as annuals or biennials. Single flowers with fringed edges are typically pink, but can be white or red, often with a dark purple central ring or eye, held above green leaves

Other common names

French mignonette
Japanese pink
see morerainbow pink
Indian pink
China pink

Synonyms

Dianthus sinensis

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: Skin allergen, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Dianthus can be annuals, evergreen perennials or subshrubs with narrow, often greyish leaves and showy flowers that are frequently fragrant
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained soil in a sunny position

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer or by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Bedding
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. Lightly trim after flowering or in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust, a virus and fusarium wilt

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