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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Dianthus chinensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic Antibacterial Antiphlogistic Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Febrifuge Haemostatic
Ophthalmic Tonic Urinary

The Chinese pink has been used for over 2,000 years in Chinese herbal medicine[238]. The whole plant is a bitter tonic herb that stimulates the digestive and urinary systems and also the bowels[238]. It is also anthelmintic, antibacterial, antiphlogistic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge and haemostatic[218, 238, 279]. It is used internally in the treatment of acute urinary tract infections (especially cystitis), urinary stones, constipation and failure to menstruate[238]. It is used externally to treat skin inflammations and swellings[238]. The old leaves are crushed and used for clearing the eyesight[218]. The plants are harvested just before the flowers open and are dried for later use[238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden. Prefers a rich well-drained loamy neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[1, 238], but succeeds in most soils including dry ones[1]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is usually biennial in habit, but can be a short-lived perennial. There are many cultivars that are widely grown in gardens. Since these flower freely in their first year and then degenerate, they are usually treated as annuals[200]. A very variable species in the wild, it has often been subdivided into up to eight different varieties[266]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow May/June in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer or autumn[1]. The seed can also be sown thinly in an outdoor seedbed in late spring, the young plants being planted out in late spring or the autumn1]. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots, July in a frame[1]. Division in September[1]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu), Korea TROPICAL ASIA: India (Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh), Nepal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Dianthus anatolicus		Perennial	0.4	5-9		LMH	N	D	0	1
Dianthus barbatus	Sweet William	Perennial	0.6	4-10	M	LMH	N	DM	1	0
Dianthus caryophyllus	Carnation, Clove Pink, Border Carnation	Perennial	1.0	6-8	S	LMH	N	DM	2	2	2
Dianthus gratianopolitanus	Cheddar Pink	Perennial	0.3	3-7		LMH	N	D	0	0	3
Dianthus plumarius	Pink, Feathered pink, Cottage Pink	Perennial	0.4	4-9		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Dianthus superbus	Fringed Pink	Perennial	0.6	4-8		LMH	SN	DM	2	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Dianthus chinensis - L.