Rainbow Pinks – Dianthus chinensis

Common Name: Rainbow Pinks

Botanical Name: Dianthus chinensis, dy-AN-thus chi-NEN-sis

Decorative Life: 2-4 plus weeks depending on environment.

Flower Color: Pink

Availability: Year Round

• Member of the Caryophyllaceae (pink family).
• Native to Central and Eastern China.
• Related species include carnation, baby’s breath, lychnis, silene, Sweet William.

• Plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial.
• Classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• Flowers are 1 inch across, some forms with fringed petals, some with contrasting eye.
• Flowers have some fragrance.

Assumed to be 34-38F.

• The scientific name is from the Greek “dios” (divine) and “anthos” (flower).
• In Greek, “dianthus” means the flower of Jove. ‘Heddewigii’ is a group of compact, free flowering cultivars derived from this species.
• Some favorite cultivars and their respective flower colors include ‘Duke’ (rose, crimson, violet) and ‘Princess’ (crimson, pink, purple, salmon, scarlet, white).
• Will generally do well in light levels at least bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort but more light (up to filtered full sunlight) would be better.