How to Grow Pinks: The Informative guide to Growing Pinks

They smell delicious and flower for weeks. Pinks should definitely be on your summer wish-list.

FEW things encapsulate the smell of the English garden better than pinks (latin name Dianthus). On still, summer days the rich clove scent of their flowers is unleashed by the warmth, and hangs heady upon the air.

In the ancient world Dianthus were highly regarded. The word comes from the Greek dios (divine) and anthos (flower); and the Romans and the Greeks made drink, food, medicine and perfume with their petals. These days, the plant group Dianthus encompasses florists’ carnations (D. caryophyllus), sweet williams (D. barbatus) and pinks (D. plumarius). The modern garden pinks that we treasure for their flower power and fragrance are largely descendants of D. plumarius crossed with the perpetual blooming carnation.

Much-loved old garden pinks, such as ‘Doris’ and ‘Mrs Sinkins’ are traditionally planted in cottage gardens in front of small shrub roses. They shine where the scent is best appreciated: beside paths, in window boxes and in patio pots. For longevity, look for modern varieties that have been bred to bloom over an extended period, such as Whetman’s Cocktail pinks and Star series.

As for planting partners, the evergreen silver foliage of pinks is stunning alongside burgundy foliage, such as Euphorbia cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’, and looks equally good with glaucousleaved plants, such as Euphorbia myrsinites and Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’. For a cottage look, combine them with hardy geraniums, oreganos, rockroses, and thymes. Or for a more modern look, be inspired by garden designers and team the taller species, D. cruentus and D. carthusianorum with ornamental grasses.

Whatever your garden style, this summer there is sure to be a dianthus to suit you, and fill your garden with scent.

6 gorgeous pinks

Whether you want super scent, long-lasting blooms or something a bit different, there’s a pink for every purpose

Dianthus cruentus 

This species of pink produces stunning clusters of blood-red flowers atop slender stems; gorgeous at the front of the border, or dotted through a gravel garden. Height: 27in (70cm). 

‘Tequila Sunrise’ 

One of the new floriferous Cocktail pinks bred by Whetman, this has fragrant peach-white single flowers with a redrimmed apricot eye, and can be grown in containers. H: 13in (35cm). 

‘Devon Wizard’ 

This fragrant variety has shocking pink blooms above evergreen foliage all summer. It’s a great cut flower and combines well with blue scabious in front of roses. H: 11in (30cm). 

Dianthus carthusianorum 

A useful ‘see-through’ plant – it has clusters of small magenta flowers atop slender stems, allowing you to create layers in the border. Fabulous with Origanum ‘Rosenkuppel’. H: 15in (40cm). 

‘Pink Kisses’ 

This new low-growing dianthus gives a non-stop show of bi-colour pink flowers from June to September. Grow it in pots, in a rockery or along the edge of a path. H: 7in (20cm). 

‘Doris’ 

Good old Doris has been around since 1945 and is still valued as a great garden variety. The double pink flowers are produced all summer and exude a delicious clove scent. H: 15in (40cm).

5 ways to grow pinks  

In a gravel border 

Since they enjoy well-drained soil, pinks are happy in a gravel garden. Choose brightly coloured forms such as ‘Neon Star’ and Dianthus cruentus, to provide punches of colour against the grey or cream of the gravel.

In containers 

Dianthus make great container plants in sun, if the compost is mixed with grit and the pot has decent drainage holes. Plant richly scented varieties in window boxes so their fragrance drifts into the house. Richly scented ‘Memories’ is a good choice.

In a hanging basket 

Small pinks (such as ‘Pixie Star’ and D. deltoides) are happy in hanging baskets with drought-tolerant rockery and alpine plants. Avoid lobelia and other water addicts, and ensure the basket has excellent drainage. 

With grasses 

The more wiry garden dianthus (such as D. carthusianorum, and D. cruentus) look fabulous with grasses like Deschampsia flexuosa ‘Tatra Gold’ and Stipa tenuissima, and alliums (such as A. atropurpureum and A.cernuum).

At the front of the border 

Headily scented pinks (try ‘Brilliant Star’ and ‘India Star’) are ideal at the border edge, along a path. Don’t plant them too closely together, and keep any other plants around them in check, as pinks like a bit of space.