DIANTHUS. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



DIANTHUS. 



531 



brilliant alpine plant, forming, very close 

 to the ground, tufts like short wiry grass, 

 from which spring many flowers, I in. 

 across, and of bright rose. It grows 

 freely in very sandy loam, either in 

 pots or on the rock-garden, rooting 

 into the sand through the bottom of the 

 pots as freely as any weed, is hardy, 

 easily grown, increased by division and 

 seed. Alps and Pyrenees. Syn., D. 

 glacialis. 



D. petrseus (Rock Pink}. A charming 

 Pink, forming hard tufts, I or 2 in. high, 

 from which spring numerous flower-stems, 



plants, as they live longer and thrive 

 better when raised above the general 

 level of the ground, though they grow 

 well in ordinary soil. They have for 

 many years been amongst the favourite 

 "florists'" flowers in European countries, 

 and are hardier and dwarfer than the 

 Carnation. In August, Pinks should be 

 planted 9 in. apart, the ground being rich 

 and well prepared. If the winter be very 

 severe, a little litter should be put over 

 them, and in spring the surface of the 

 beds should be stirred a little, and given 

 a top-dressing of fine old manure and a 



Dianthus neglectus (Glacier Pink) 



each bearing a fine rose-coloured flower. 

 It seems to escape the attacks of wire- 

 worm. It flowers in summer, and should 

 be planted on the rock-garden in sandy 

 and rather poor moist loam. Hungary ; 

 seed or division. 



D. plumarius (The Common Pink}. 

 This is the parent of our numerous 

 varieties of Pinks, and has single purple 

 flowers, rather deeply cut at the margin, 

 and is naturalised on old walls in various 

 parts of England. The wild plant is 

 rather handsome when grown in healthy 

 tufts, but on the level ground it is apt 

 to perish. The many fragrant double 

 varieties are welcome everywhere, and 

 should be cultivated as rock or bank 



slight dusting of guano. As they push 

 up their flower-spikes these should be 

 staked, and if they are for exhibition the 

 buds. should be thinned, as many varieties 

 produce buds too freely. The culture of 

 Pinks, however, either for exhibition or 

 for the garden, is simple, and the outlay 

 small. Get newly struck pipings in 

 August and September the best months 

 to plant them in a sunny place. In a smoky 

 town a cold frame will be needed ; but 

 if the air be clear, an open bed will do. 

 When the pipings are once planted in the 

 open garden, they require little care till 

 they begin to push up their flower-stems. 

 Spring planting should be commenced as 

 early as the weather permits, and, as soon 

 M M 2 



