Growing Pinks

Garden Pinks can be grown in various ways. In beds and borders, at the front, and alongside paths are excellent positions as this provides what all Pinks appreciate - direct and unrestricted light.

   

Pinks prefer limey, well drained soils; acid or neutral soils can have lime chippings added and heavy soils can be well dug and lime chippings dug in to aid drainage.

They can also be planted in large terracottta pots, tubs or window boxes provided that again they are in light, airy spots and are kept well watered and regularly fed. Pinks are an attractive feature all year round: during late spring through to autumn the flowers provide colour and scent then during winter there is their attractive blue/green foliage.

Pinks should not be grown under shrubs or trees as they hate being dripped upon and leaves falling from the trees/shrubs onto the Pinks can cause rotting, the leaves can also harbour slugs and snails.

Dianthus, like any plant, need to be protected from slugs, snails and greenfly. Slugs and snails will remove all new growth and strip the blue/green colouration from older leaves and flowering stems. Aphis (all types of greenfly) will distort new growth and flower buds and can carry diseases.

Garden Pinks normally have a very productive life of approximately three years but will gradually deteriorate however they are very easy to propagate from cuttings taken in late summer/early autumn. If cuttings are taken every year from strong, healthy plants then your garden will always have a good supply of Pinks providing colour and scent! Don't forget to pick some flowers for the vase and bring that beautiful colour and scent into the home.