The 5 Most Beautiful Pink Carnations

Dianthus barbatus ‘Jolt Pink Magic’: a range of pink shades

The Dianthus barbatus ‘Jolt Pink Magic’ is a perennial plant typically grown as an annual due to its short lifespan. This hybrid is highly valued for the changing colour of its flowers. Indeed, they gradually transition from white to pale pink, then to deep pink, enhanced by brightness and cool nights. Very floriferous from May to September, this Sweet William attracts pollinating insects. Despite its short life cycle, it is particularly heat resistant, making it perfect for brightening up borders and containers. Its flowers, grouped in bouquets at the tips of upright stems reaching 45 cm above the ground, are subtly fragrant. Note that this Sweet William is sterile, meaning it does not produce seeds and therefore does not self-seed. However, this is what allows for such abundant flowering! When planted en masse at the edge of a bed, this Sweet William creates beautiful splashes of colour and can be accompanied by Alyssum ‘Snow Crystals’, with its carpet-like habit and white flowers that will highlight the pink hues of the ‘Jolt Pink Magic’ Sweet William.

Dianthus barbatus ‘Jolt Pink Magic’ (photo Panamerican Seeds)

Dianthus plumarius ‘Scent First Romance’: a soft and unusual colour

The Dianthus plumarius ‘Scent First Romance’ is romantically delightful! This cultivar is part of the Scent First® series, which includes several selected Pinks known for their dense habit, long flowering, and fragrance. This English-origin Dianthus stands out for its lovely flowering from May to August. Its double flowers exuding a sweet and spicy scent have slightly dentate petals, coloured in a soft salmon pink with a darker centre. Very similar and in pastel tones, we can also mention the Dianthus plumarius ‘Scent First Iced Gem’, which is part of the same series. From June to September, the ‘Scent First Romance’ variety bears beautiful double flowers tinted lavender pink, with slightly lighter dentate edges. Plant these modern Pinks in a border with soft hues and pair them with old roses, Delphinium belladonna ‘Casablanca’, Geranium sanguineum ‘Pink Pouffe’, pink Echinaceas, and Silver Dust Senecio with silver foliage.

Dianthus plumarius ‘Scent First Romance’

Dianthus plumarius ‘Devon Magic’: bicoloured pom-poms

The Dianthus plumarius ‘Devon Magic’ is of rare beauty. Its solitary flowers are quite large and can measure 5 cm in diameter. Well-rounded, they are adorned with numerous petals. Their striated colour is atypical: the bicoloured petals are variegated with a lovely bengal pink and light pink. The flower buds bloom on sturdy, long stems from June to September-October. While the flowers of this Sweet William are excellent for creating cut flower arrangements, they are, however, slightly fragrant. The linear and fine grey-green foliage highlights this beautiful flowering and forms a fairly tall clump, reaching 45 cm in height with a spread of 35 cm. Perfectly suited for pot planting, this English Carnation can winter outdoors in its container and withstand temperatures below -15°C while retaining its foliage. On your terrace or balcony, create a scene of flowering pots with Lavenders in pots, white and mauve Phlox, as well as annual plants like Lobelia or Petunias.

Dianthus plumarius ‘Devon Magic’

Dianthus plumarius ‘Lily the Pink’: a stunning flowering!

The Dianthus plumarius ‘Lily the Pink’ stands out with its vibrant flowering! Preferring sun and well-drained soils, it is excellent for dry rockeries, energising the space with its pink-purple colour from June to August. Its double flowers, about 3-4 cm in size, are solid-coloured and strongly scented, perched on slightly curved stems above a tuft of fine, linear, grey-blue evergreen foliage. Hardy, this English carnation withstands temperatures down to -15°C. Vigorous and with a homogeneous habit, this Dianthus reaches 35 cm in all directions and can also be used in borders, containers, and slopes. In a full sun rockery, plant the ‘Lily the Pink’ carnation with its sensational pink alongside silver-leaved perennials like Achillea umbellata and Alpine Silver Button, as well as drought-tolerant perennials like Aster alpinus ‘Happy End’, Elegant Centaury, and Gentian ‘True Blue’.

Dianthus plumarius ‘Lily the Pink’

Dianthus plumarius ‘Laced Monarch’: stunning cut flowers!

From June to September, Dianthus plumarius ‘Laced Monarch’ offers us a delightful flowering in shades of pink and red. This variety from 1972, originating in England, is highly valued for its double magenta pink flowers with burgundy hearts and edges. The petals are somewhat irregular, with each flower being unique and varying in the intensity of dark red markings. They make excellent cut flowers for vases. Very fragrant, this Sweet William emits a pleasant clove-like scent. Plant this recent cultivar in the garden, at the front of a border, to easily pick its flowers and create stunning bouquets. Surround it with perennials for cut flowers such as Gypsophila, Echinacea, Iris, and Peonies.

Dianthus plumarius ‘Laced Monarch’

For further reading

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