The "Cheddar Pinks" are named for one of their natural habitats in England, the Cheddar Gorge. The deep pink double flowers continue for weeks, especially if you remove the fading ones. Also, divide your plants every couple of years to keep them vigorous. Pinks prefer slightly alkaline soils. "Dianthus" is the botanical name of a great group of flowers that includes wild Sweet William, the pinks, and of course, the carnations. Some of the "pinks" have been in gardens since Elizabethan times, and of today the carnation is a mainstay of the florist trade. Dianthus species are not at all hard to grow, and once they're happy in your garden, they'll return every year with more and more color and fragrance.
Seeds? Yes, we have the meadow favorite, Wild Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) in our wildflower seed department. It's a favorite biennial that creates waves of magnificent colors (several colors and bicolors) in wildflower meadows. And it's a snap to grow.
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Botanical Name: Dianthus gratianopolitanus
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Common Name: Cheddar Pinks
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Color: Bright purplish to magenta pink flowers with bluish-gray foliage
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Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
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Soil Preferences: Prefers a sandy / loamy soil that is well drained. Good drainage is key to growing Dianthus. Drought tolerant.
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Advantages: Deer resistant. Attracts butterflies.
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