Dianthus plumarius Doris

Dianthus plumarius 'Doris', also known as 'Doris' pinks, forms a thick and loose cushion of semi-evergreen, rough, bluish-green leaves. This perennial offers an abundant flowering with an intense and sweet fragrance, with light pink fringed corollas with darker centres. This timeless perennial combines strength, an undemanding nature, and delicacy. Ideal for rockeries and walls, in full sun.

'Doris' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a cultivar resulting from the cross-breeding between D. plumarius and D. caryophyllus. D. plumarius is a European perennial that is the main ancestor of different groups of pinks, both old-fashioned and modern. D. caryophyllus is Mediterranean, and it has passed on to its descendants its wonderful clove scent. The growth of this pink is quite rapid. Its adult size will not exceed 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) in height with a spread of 30cm (12in). This pink forms a fairly loose clump. From May to July, and again in September, it displays bouquets of pale-pink flowers marked with purple at the centre. The fragrant flowers bear five fringed petals. They appear at the top of short stems, usually uniflorous. Its linear, glabrous, evergreen, and leathery leaves are a superb greyish-blue.

Dianthus plumarius 'Doris' is perfect in borders, embankments, and dry rockeries. It pairs well with other flowering cushions such as helianthemums, silenes, dwarf artemisia (Artemisia lanata), wall bellflowers, Caucasian rockcress, Phlox subulata, Delosperma cooperi, Erigeron karvinskianus, and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). This plant looks beautiful between the stones of a wall or paving, or in a container. It adapts very well to pot cultivation, in light soil.