Plant Identification Learning Module:
Flowers and Foliage

Dianthus, China Pinks (Dianthus chinensis)

This low-growing herbaceous annual grows six to twelve inches in height. The bushy plants have gray-green leaves that are thick, stiff, opposite, and linear. Dianthus produces many of one to two inches, slightly fragrant, single, semi-double or frilled flowers in shades of lavender, pink, purple, red, salmon, rose, scarlet, crimson and white. Each flower has toothed petals creating a delicate fringe.


Dianthus plants
Pink and white dianthus flowers
Pink dianthus flower
UF/IFAS

Red dianthus with foliage
(cc) 2005, Mark Pellegrini. This photo is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0.