Dianthus plumarius Lily the Pink

Dianthus 'Lily the Pink' is a modern variety of carnation. It forms an evergreen cushion with grey-blue foliage. Arched stems emerge from the tuft, bearing pink-purple flowers. The sumptuously fragrant flowers follow one after the other throughout the growing season. This plant is robust, undemanding, and frugal. It fears acidic and damp soils, but thrives in the sun in chalky, well-drained soil.

'Lily the Pink' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a cultivar selected in England, resulting from cross-breeding between Dianthus plumarius and D. gratianopolitanus, among others. D. plumarius is a European perennial which is the main ancestor of the different groups of both old-fashioned and modern carnations and pinks. D. gratianopolitanus is native to Europe and Asia and has passed on to its descendants its compact habit and its wonderful clove scent. Its growth rate is quite fast. Its adult size will not exceed 35cm (14in) in height with a spread of 30cm (12in) or more. It forms a low and dense clump. From June to August, sometimes until September, it produces 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) wide double flowers with dentate petals on the edge of a perfectly uniform lilac pink. They are carried by flexible stems adorned with several buds. Its linear, glabrous, pointed, evergreen and leathery leaves are of a superb grey-blue colour.

Dianthus 'Lily the Pink' is perfect in borders, embankments, and dry rockeries. It is both beautiful and natural. Its highly fragrant pink flowers bring an undeniable charm to the most modest decor, in the garden as well as in bouquets. It will accompany the blue bells of wood hyacinths, campanulas, Anemone coronaria, Madonna lilies, or other flowering cushions such as Iberis, silenes, wall bellflowers, Caucasian rockcress, Phlox subulata, Erigeron karvinskianus, and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). To evoke gardens of the past, one can plant a small border of these delightful carnations at the foot of clusters of white, pink, or red peonies and old roses. This plant looks lovely between the stones of a wall or pavement, in a trough or in a container. It adapts very well to pot cultivation in light soil.