Scientific Name:
Dianthus chinensis
(incl. hybrids)
Pronunciation:
dye-AN-thus chye-NEN-sis
Common Name:
dianthus, China pink
Family Name:
Caryophyllaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Swollen nodes; leaves opposite, lanceolate-linear, most 5-10cm long x 2-9mm wide; florets in cymose clusters of 10-15, each 3-4cm wide with 5 fringed petals and a purple centre.
Habit:
Dense, Spreading
Form:
Mounded
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Garden origin, S.E. Asia / Japan / China
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Alkaline, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Bedding plant, Container planting, Perennial border
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include D. 'Telstar Crimson' (D. barbatus x D. chinensis).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Bluish, Green
Shapes:
Lanceolate, Linear
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Violet, Pink, Red
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
Cultivar of left image: Dianthus 'Telstar Crimson' (D. barbatus x D. chinensis); remaining image is cv. of D. chinesis
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Enclosed by sepals
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Leaf-like bracts
Propagation:
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids, Crown rot, Mites, Rust, Sawflies or horntails or ants, Slugs or snails (Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
