Overview
Dianthus sylvestris is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Dianthus, part of the Caryophyllaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Dianthus sylvestris grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include gravel garden, city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, low maintenance, wall side borders, banks and slopes, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Dianthus sylvestris, also known as wood pink, is a species of Dianthus found in Europe, particularly in the Alps, and also said to be disjunctly found in the mountains of Greece. A perennial, it prefers to grow in drier, stony places, so it is occasionally planted in rock gardens. It is native to North America, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Germany and other regions. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). Suggested uses include gravel garden, city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, low maintenance, wall side borders, banks and slopes, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dianthus sylvestris
About the genus
Dianthus is a genus of about 340 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species in northern and southern Africa, and one species (D. repens) in arctic North America. Common names include carnation (D.
Wikipedia contributors, "Dianthus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dianthus
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Dianthus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Dianthus sylvestris size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Low Maintenance, Wall side borders, Banks and slopes, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Dianthus sylvestris
- Propagation
- Softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer,Layering after flowering
- Pest resistance
- Slugs,Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews,Rust,Fusarium wilt
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Dianthus sylvestris?
Dianthus sylvestris prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Dianthus sylvestris need?
Dianthus sylvestris is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to moist but well-drained.
Is Dianthus sylvestris hardy in the UK?
Dianthus sylvestris has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Dianthus sylvestris?
Softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer,Layering after flowering.
More in the Dianthus genus
- Dianthus 'Coronation'Carnation
- Dianthus 'Mrs Sinkins'
- Dianthus 'Thomas'Carnation
- Dianthus caryophyllus 'Wesever'PBRCarnation
- Dianthus fruticosus subsp. carpathus
- Dianthus sp. (coll. Romania)
- Dianthus 'Bat's Double Red'
- Dianthus 'Brympton Red'Pink