Dianthus superbus Seeds | Fringed Pink
LATIN NAME: Dianthus superbus
COMMON NAME: Fringed Pink
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Fringed Pink (Dianthus superbus) stands out as a perennial herb in the pink family, native to eurasia, while it grows in meadows and grassy slopes. Fringed pink is a graceful, fringed-flowered perennial of meadows, and its large, rose-pink, deeply fringed flowers have made it one of the most delicate and charming of the pinks. Gardeners value it precisely for this blend of qualities.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the pink family, Dianthus superbus draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Fringed pink has a real and distinguished place in the research. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Fringed Pink for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Ecologically, fringed pink is a generous plant of the garden. Its large, fragrant, rose-pink, deeply fringed flowers feed bees and butterflies, and its neat, leafy clumps give a fine, low presence to border and rock garden. Among stones and front of border it holds its fringed flowers with a quiet delicacy, a small gem of the summer. Once it has settled, the workload drops to almost nothing.
Pinks and carnations are cutting-flower royalty; in Chinese medicine the related Qu Mai is a classical diuretic herb, and the petals of scented types are a traditional edible garnish.
Growing from Seed
Starting Fringed Pink from seed is simple and satisfying. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in bright light. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
It comes from eurasia, while it grows in meadows and grassy slopes, which is the best clue to the conditions it enjoys in cultivation. Once the young plants are away, there is little left to do but watch them grow.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Fringed Pink often pair it with these related subjects: