Dianthus plumarius aka Clove Pink

Taxonomy

Dianthus plumarius, also known as the common pink, garden pink, wild pink, or simply pink, is a compact evergreen perennial with grey-green foliage. It forms a spreading mat and reaches an average height of 30-60 centimeters. From late spring, upright flower stems emerge, carrying small sprays of highly-scented, saucer-shaped flowers. These flowers have fringed petals and come in a range of colors, including deep red, pink, and white, as well as bicolours. The stem is green, erect, glabrous, and branched on the top. With its five pink petals, Dianthus plumarius earns its common name. These petals are 10-15 millimeters long and have fringed margins.

Common names

Clove Pink, Cottage Pink, Garden Pink, Feathered Pink

How to care for Clove Pink

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Clove Pink is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Clove Pink should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Clove Pink loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Clove Pink requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Feathered Pink is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Clove Pink plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Clove Pink is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

The Clove Pink does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

The Clove Pink is known for its slow growth and doesn't require fertilizing beyond its potting soil. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should offer it sufficient nutrition. It's essential to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not from fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

The Clove Pink displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.

Region of origin

Clove Pink’s native range is Europe and Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia