Dianthus deltoides

Dianthus deltoides, commonly known as Maiden Pink, is a perennial of which a variety of cultvars are available.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Leaves 3.3 Flowers and Fruit 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance and Propagation 8 Cultivars 9 Literature 10 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Dianthus deltoides was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Maiden Pink is a species in the genus Dianthus (carnation) which contains 300 species and belongs to the family of the Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of 10 to 40 centimeters and develop as mats.

[edit] Leaves

Dianthus deltoides has simple leaves, dark green to glaucous leaves. They are arranged alternately along the stems. The leaves have entire margins and are lanceolate to linear-lanceolate on flowering stems, oblanceolate on sterile stems.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are five-petaled and pink to purple, rarely white. They appear from June through to September and exude a slight clove scent. The flowers are arranged solitary or sometimes in two to four-flowered cymes. They have a diameter of up to two centimeters. The petals are longish to obovate with a dentate apex. Near the base they often have white dotting and a darker, rugged line.

[edit] Distribution

Dianthus deltoides is native to the whole of Europe and west Sibiria, it is naturalized in wide parts of North America. The natural habitats are dry to moderately dry meadows.

[edit] Cultivation

The Maiden Pink prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -40º C. It grows best in soils that are dry to moderately moist.

[edit] Uses

Its rich bloom makes the maiden pink a valuable plant for the alpine garden. Since it self-seeds freely it will soon form large mats. The perennials are also suitable for a sunny border and can be planted in pots or gaps of walls and pavings. Good plant companions are for example Petrorhagia saxifraga, Euphorbia myrsinites and Galium verum.

[edit] Maintenance and Propagation

The plants can be cut back after flowering to promote further bloom and healthy, compact growth.

To propagate from seed the seeds are sown in February, young plants can then be planted out in spring.

[edit] Cultivars

There is a variety of cultivars available, some of them being sold as annuals

• 

  'Albus'

• 

  'Brilliant' und 'Albus'

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  'Leuchtfunk'

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Dianthus deltoides in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Dianthus deltoides

fr:Dianthus deltoides