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MORE DELIGHTFUL DIANTHUS
There are six lesser-known species worth mentioning, but are not readily available. The best source for seed or plants may be mail order catalogs.

* D. x allwoodii (sometimes referred to as D. hybridus), commonly known as Allwood pinks, derived from crosses and backcrosses among a number of species, including carnation, cottage pinks and D. alpinus (the shorter hybrids). Compact and vigorous, they bloom off and on through midsummer, if you deadhead spent flowers. The flowers are fragrant; the foliage, gray-green.

* D. caryophyllus a.k.a. carnation or clove pink, includes the familiar florists’ carnations as well as border carnations. Hybrids are usually grown from cuttings, not seed, to retain uniform characteristics.

* D. plumarius commonly known as cottage pink, is a low growing, loosely tufted perennial, hardy to Zone 3. Both foliage and flowers are fragrant. An heirloom species introduced from Europe in Colonial days, it has single- and double-flowered forms. ‘Romance Mix’ produces single flowers in a wide color range; ‘Sweetness’ (Zones 4 to 9) flowers the first year from seed and bears some double flowers.

* D. chinensis ‘Heddewigii’ is a variety of China pinks, which blooms the first year from seed. An heirloom variety (listed in the Burpee Seed catalog back in 1888) it is very free flowering and produces double flowers.

* D. knappii flowers the first year from seed sown in early spring. Hardy to Zone 3, it is the only true sulphur-yellow species, flowers in summer and grows to 16 inches tall. ‘Yellow Harmony’ is a fine variety.

* D. deltoides commonly known as maiden pink, forms evergreen tufts or mats. Plants are very hardy (perennial to Zone 3). One of the few Dianthus to grow well in partial shade, it produces small flowers from summer to fall. Good for rock gardens and hillsides, cultivars include ‘Zing Rose’ and ‘Zing Salmon.’ ‘Confetti Cherry Red’ is a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9, AHS Heat Zone 9-1.

* D. superbus, a.k.a. lilac pink, originated in Europe and Asia. A short-lived perennial hardy to Zone 4, it reseeds readily. Treat it as a biennial for best results. Flowering in summer, it produces deeply fringed petals, which are fragrant. ‘Crimsonia’ and ‘Primadonna’ are two cultivars on the market.

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