Clove Pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) flowers come in a variety of hues. However, the term “pinks” originally refers to the Old English word pynken, which means “pinking shears.” It refers to the notched margins of the plant’s leaves rather than the color. Clove Pink herb plants are linked to carnations. The clove aroma is carried on the blossoms. These pretty tiny plants make excellent landscape accents.
This plant has been grown for more than 2000 years. It has therapeutic, cosmetic, culinary, and insect repellent properties. Since the fragrant blossoms are a favorite in many gardens, they make wonderful cut flowers. They are even recognized as one of the top ten cut flowers to cultivate at home!
Growing Clove Pink
Clove Pink blooms belong to the Dianthus family. They resemble smaller counterparts of the famous carnation. The gentle pastel tones and softly frilled borders go well with a variety of different perennial bloomers. Pinks are hardy in USDA zones 5–8 and have a 6- to 9-inch (15–23 cm) spread with blooms that can reach 20 inches (51 cm) above the leaf mound. Both before and after blooming, the whole thing resembles a pincushion. The plant has an airy feel and neat arrangement before flowering, but after it blooms, it takes on a dense appearance with small, perfumed flowers. Flowers come in a variety of hues, including red, white, rose, yellow, lavender, and, of course, pink.
Here are some brief facts about the popular aesthetic plant:
- Latin name: Dianthus caryophyllus
- Other names: Wild Carnation, Border Carnation
- Native to: Mediterranean area
- Invasiveness: No
- Tenderness: Herbaceous perennial
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Light watering
- Soil: Well-drained
- Hardiness zone: Zones 6 through 8
- When to plant: Late Winter-Spring
- Spacing: 12 inches
- Plant height: 1-1.5 m
- Bloom period: Spring-Summer
- Time to maturity: 4 to 12 months
- Container friendly: Yes
- Fertilizer: 20-10-20
- Toxicity: Yes, to both cats and dogs.
- Deer resistant: Yes
- Pest resistant: Yes
Dianthus caryophyllus is virtually unbreakable. Once established, it can withstand droughts, wet spring weather, and mild frosts. These plants look great in borders, pots, and even on pavers. Full sun sites in well-drained soil are ideal. Although fertility isn’t a concern with these plants. Pinks can live in pretty unfriendly soil and will grow back year after year. Clove Pink is toxic to dogs and cats. Dehydration, dermatitis, diarrhea, weakness, and vomiting are common symptoms.
Water
Because the plant is drought-tolerant, it should be watered only when the soil is entirely dry. Except in the heat, they don’t require much water. Spraying is a better approach to wetting the plants than splashing water.
Sunlight
Full sun- about 6-8 hours of direct solar exposure. You can grow it indoors. However, germination and development require bright light, well-drained potting soil, and sufficient air circulation.
Soil
Plant carnation in a very well, light, fertile, organic-rich soil. Plant seeds in well-drained rich soil and enjoy a lot of indirect illumination indoors.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your Dianthus with a 20-10-20 all-purpose liquid plant fertilizer. In the late spring, you may also sprinkle a slow-release granular fertilizer around the base of the plant.
Invasiveness
Clove Pink is not an invasive plant. They blossom gently and attract pollinators and birds. SInce they are not invasive, you can plant them without worries.
Growing Clove Pink In Containers
If you have adequate space and a sunny location, growing clove pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) near the front of a pot is a fantastic choice. Since Clove Pink has thin greyish-green to blue-green foliage and beautiful pinkish-purple blooms that are highly delightfully fragrant they attract butterflies. Because pinks dislike being waterlogged in the winter, they require well-drained compost. And minimal fertilizer when planted in containers. Clove Pink can withstand exposure to the sea and pollutants in the air.
Care & Tips
Deadheading flowers allow this carnation to bloom for a longer period of time. Cutting side flower stalks stimulates the core bud to develop into a bigger bloom. If you put your clove pink in a garden box and have an unheated greenhouse, bring them in before the first frost and they will bloom all winter. They also frequently bloom in locations with mild winters, such as the Mediterranean environment.
Common Problems
Carnation fly can be controlled using handpicking or a pirimiphos-methyl-based spray. Garlic planted beside plants may act as a deterrent. The disease is unlikely to cause major problems for outdoor plants. Diseases including leaf spot, rust, and wilt are more common in greenhouse-grown plants.
Propagating Clove Pink
Plants are easy to grow from seed or division, which should be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the latest frost date in your location. Clove Pink may be propagated through seed. It can be placed directly in the ground or in seed trays. Seedlings can be transplanted when they reach 5 to 8 cm in height. The seeds should be planted no deeper than 0.5 cm into the soil. The seeds require one to three weeks to germinate at moderate temperatures.
Wildlife Attracted By Clove Pink
Pink Clove Nectar attracts butterflies and bees. Fragrant blooms attract nectar feeders such as hummingbirds as well as insect-eating birds. Since it releases a substance from the seed that repels anthropods and hinders moth metamorphosis it is a good repellant.
The History Of Clove Pink
Clove Pink is the wild progenitor of today’s garden carnation, which has been cultivated into a variety of cultivars in hues such as yellow, white, and red. Clove Pink is a hardy perennial with thin greyish-green to blue-green foliage and fragrant pinkish-purple blooms that attract butterflies.
Uses For Clove Pink
Pinks have a long history of usage as a beautiful plant as well as a medical and culinary herb. The flower was candied, used as a flavoring in syrups, and even made into a liqueur in culinary applications. Traditional clove pink aromatics are documented in history. Use the blossoms as potpourri, as a laundry sachet, or as a spicy scent in various cosmetics. Clove Pinks may be used to treat stress, heartburn, and flatulence.
Carnation flowers, for the most part, symbolize affection, intrigue, and distinctiveness. However, there are various hue variations.
Clove Pinks are a good choice for gardeners with limited space and sunny places. The lovely, highly perfumed blossoms have a long herbal history – both in medicine and as a food garnish and taste. Clove Pink herb plants may grow in a variety of soil conditions and coastal environments, as well as moderately contaminated areas. Pinks are a hardy and attractive answer to many garden problems.
