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Dianthus chinensis - L.

Common Name Chinese Pink, Rainbow pink, Annual Pink, China Pink
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats A wide variety of habitats including sandy forest margins, dry hillsides and summits, forest and hillside grasslands, scrub on mountain slopes, rocky ravines, meadows and streamsides[266].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Dianthus chinensis Chinese Pink, Rainbow pink, Annual Pink, China Pink


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Dianthus chinensis Chinese Pink, Rainbow pink, Annual Pink, China Pink
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Summary

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


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dianthus anatolicus Perennial0.4 5-9  LMHND01 
Dianthus barbatusSweet WilliamPerennial0.6 4-10 MLMHNDM10 
Dianthus caryophyllusCarnation, Clove Pink, Border CarnationPerennial1.0 6-8 SLMHNDM222
Dianthus gratianopolitanusCheddar PinkPerennial0.3 3-7  LMHND003
Dianthus plumariusPink, Feathered pink, Cottage PinkPerennial0.4 4-9  LMHNDM10 
Dianthus superbusFringed PinkPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM23 

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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