Dianthus superbus Primadonna

Dianthus superbus 'Primadonna' is a beautiful improvement of the wild species, with a more branched habit and brightly coloured pink-mauve flowers. This short-lived perennial plant can also be grown as a biennial. It readily and faithfully self-seeds in light soil. Its summer flowering is long and abundant, with ruffled flowers composed of fringed petals resembling lace. This hardy variety is suitable for borders, containers, and bouquets. Easy to grow in light, well-drained soil in full sun.

Dianthus is an extensive genus of mainly perennial plants, with varying sizes, colours, and uses. Carnations almost all have in common evergreen foliage in winter, and a strong preference for sunlight, in dry, well-drained soil. They even tolerate limestone soils.

Dianthus superbus belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is native to the mountains of Europe and temperate Asia, where it grows in woodlands and moist meadows. The 'Primadonna' variety forms compact and bushy herbaceous clumps, reaching 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) in height when flowering. Its rapid growth allows it to bloom in the year of sowing. Its branched stems are covered with persistent, linear, soft leaves of a beautiful light blue-green. From May to August, solitary or paired flowers appear at the ends of sturdy stems, measuring about 4cm (2in) in diameter. They boast a vivid pink shade with mauve undertones and are highly fragrant. They have 5 deeply cut petals, resembling delicate fringes arranged in a fan shape. Their exceptional fragrance evokes cloves and vanilla.

'Primadonna' is an easy-to-grow plant that requires minimal maintenance once established. Like bellflowers and columbines, these plants with their old-fashioned charm have a place in every garden, imbuing them with great poetry and mystery. Choose a prominent location, for example, along a pathway or near an entrance, to fully enjoy the sweetness of the plant's fragrance. Plant 'Primadonna' at the front of a group planting, alongside pink Sedum and echinaceas, to create beautiful swaths of colour. Its tall size allows it to be used as a border plant, in a flowered pavement, or on embankments, in moist but well-drained soil that is not overly rich. It can also be grown in pots on a patio or balcony, with proper drainage and occasional fertiliser inputs.