SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dianthus chinensis

COMMON NAME: China pinks, annual pinks

FAMILY: Caryophyllaceae

TYPE: hardy annual

LEAVES: opposite, basal, 1"-3" long, exceeding internodes, 1/4" wide, margins usually ciliate, usually gone by flowering, medium green (no plume)

FLOWER: loose grouping of 3 or more flowers per cluster, each flower 1/2"-1" across, slightly fragrant, petals fringed, solid or bicolor, red, pink, white, purple

SEASON OF BLOOM: spring to fall with decline in hot summers; longest and best flowering Dianthus

GROWTH HABIT: 6" to 12" mounding

SOIL: will thrive in soils with pH 7.0 and above; well drained

SUN: part shade best for better flowering in summer, to full sun

UTILIZATION: edging, bedding

DISEASES: none serious

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: aphids, mites, cabbage looper, cutworm

PROPAGATION: seed, may self-sow if winter is not too severe, cuttings

MAINTENANCE: deadheading will increase duration of flowering; flowering can also be enhance by pruning during periods of decreased flowering

CULTIVARS All-America Winner 'Telstar Picotee' (1988), 'Ideal Violet' (1992); Princess has done well, too.