Description
Dianthus armeria | Grass Pink
Grass Pink, also called Deptford Pink, Mountain Pink, or Wild Pink, is an annual or biennial flower native to Europe and Asia, wild Dianthus variety is slim and somewhat diminutive, taking up little ground space in the garden. The first year’s basal rosette is comprised of deep green, downy, linear to lance shaped leaves. Plants are branched and reach 12-18 inches in height and have bright-pink blooms with tiny white spots at the top of each branch. Blooms in summer and dries out fast to leave behind seeds for next years plants.
Commonly found in disturbed soils at low to middle elevations such as abandoned fields, roadsides, and grassy pastures. It grows well in clay, loam or gravelly soil that is somewhat compacted and heavy or nutrient-poor, tolerating drought, but not poor drainage. Can tolerate a wide pH range and can be found growing in in acid or alkaline soils. Suitable for rock gardens, along paths, as a ground cover, and along borders in masses. It is widespread in naturalized areas because of its ability to grow in less than favorable conditions, while in better environments it does not compete well with broadleaf plants.
Seeds germinate easily with heat, humidity, and light.
While many cottage pinks are in fact pink, that is not why they bear that name. The name comes from an old English word for the scissors that tailors use to serrate or zigzag the edges of fabric. “Pynken” were shears that gave fabric the same ragged or serrated edges these little flowers have. Now folks call them “pinking shears.” The name ‘Deptford’ refers to the town of Deptford, England where the plant once grew in abundance. However, it has been said that the flower was wrongly identified when it was first named, but the name persisted nonetheless.
Type: Annual or biennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 12-18 inches
Mature width: 4-14 inches
Hardiness zones: 3-10
