When is a pink Carnation not a Carnation? When it is a Pink. Confused, well so was I and I am not sure this will clear it up.

All Pinks and Carnations are members of the Dianthus genus that encompasses 400 + species and cultivars ( including Sweet Williams).

Types of Carnation

• Border Carnations have one central shoot with a number of side shoots. Side shoots can be pinched out but the plant should never be stopped or the seasons flower will be lost.
• Dis-budding will encourage longer stems on the main shoot for exhibitions.
• These Carnations need a winter rest and a little late frost to check growth.Border Carnations are also know as Florist Carnations and are use in buttonholes.

Perpetual flowering carnation

• Named because they need no resting period, growing rapidly and continiously.
• Exhibition types have flowers 4-5″ across.
• Commercial varieties have smaller flowers with indented or frilled petals.
• Plants are stopped to get more flower stems
• You can acquire or just admire plants as part of a collection

Annual Carnations

• Also called marguerite or Chabaud carnations are half-hardy perennials but treated as annuals.
• Blooming the same year as the seed is sown, the flowers are thought by many to be inferior to other Carnations.
• Exhibition classifications are based on markings, Selfs, (one colour) Fancies (with a coloured ground)and Picotees (white ground with a colour band around the petal.
• Many are grown in a cool greenhouse to control watering.

Types of Pinks

• It is possible that Pinks, which have been so called for centuries, gave there name to the colour and not vice versus.
• Older types, like border carnations, throw up a central stem which flowers. Side shoots will flower in following years
• Modern Pinks derive from Dianthus plumarius and are scented.
• Dianthus allwoodii will flower several times per season but not as well as a perpetual Carnation.
• Single and double pinks are grown.
• Indian Pinks are hardy hybrids flowering on 8″ high plants

For more information on:

Growing Pinks with links to the National Society read.

Perpetual Carnations from Cuttings read

Close relatives – Sweet Williams read

Pinks for Cottage Gardens read

Seeds and plants are available from Thompson Morgan

Pinks as perfect perennials on Gardeners tips