Dianthus superbus aka Fringed Pink

Dianthus superbus, also known as the fringed pink or large pink, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to Europe and northern Asia. It can be found in various regions, ranging from northernmost Spain and France to arctic Norway and east to Japan. In the southern part of its range, it thrives at high altitudes, reaching up to 2,400 m. This evergreen perennial forms cushions of grey-green narrow leaves. During the summer, it produces long-stemmed pink flowers with five fringed petals that are not only visually appealing but also emit a delightful sweet scent. These flowers, which range in color from pink to lavender with a greenish base, typically measure 3-5 cm in diameter. They are clustered in branched formations at the top of the stems and bloom from early to late summer. Dianthus superbus can grow up to 80 cm tall, and its slender leaves can reach a length of 8 cm. Within this species, there are six subspecies, each with its own unique characteristics and distribution. Notably, Dianthus superbus is the sole food source for the large moth Coleophora musculella.