CHAPTER VI. 



Dianthuses (Pinks). 



There is no flower-lover who does not look on the 

 Dianthuses with gratitude, for in addition to the charm- 

 ing Alpine species which they give us, they embrace 

 the Carnation, Picotee, garden Pink, Sweet William, 

 Mule Pink and Japanese Pink — a galaxy of beautiful 

 gems. 



Grace, perfume, brilliancy and diversity of colour 

 — all these are given by the Dianthuses. They are 

 combined, as is well-known, in the Carnation, that 

 glorious plant which for hundreds of years has charmed 

 and deUghted florists, and which may be expected 

 to give flower-lovers pleasure for hundreds of years 

 more. 



The dwarf hardy Pinks, species of Dianthus, which 

 are suitable for the rock garden, are not fragrant in 

 every case, but they have neat habit, pretty flowers 

 and bright colours to commend them. The flower- 

 lover whose rockery is quite small must content him- 

 self with a limited number of the best species, such as 

 Alpinus, caesiuSj deltoides and superbus ; but those 

 with abundant accommodation may have the great 

 privilege of forming a collection of species, hybrids 

 and varieties fairly representative of the genus. Few 



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