Pick your Pinks for Summer

Cottage pinks (Dianthus plumarius) are modern border pinks treasured for their sweet clove-scented flowers from spring through summer. Growing 12 to 16 inches tall, many have a central eye and deeply fringed flowers. Harris Seeds has a picture of cottage pinks at http://www.harrisseeds.com/catalog/19040...

Maiden pinks (Dianthus deltoides) are mat-forming species pinks that are excellent for bedding and rock gardens. These perennials produce a profusion of single flowers in white, red, or pink, often with darker eyes. They also self-sow prolifically. Harris Seeds offers a crimson version that blooms through May and June at http://www.harrisseeds.com/catalog/19080... . JDS Gardens offers seed for 'Nelli', which is dark red with a blood red circle and blooms from June to August at http://www.jdsgardens.com/dian.htm . 'Zing Rose' is a very popular choice because of its brilliant deep pink flowers and lovely clove-like scent; it blooms from June through September. Visit Fernlea Perennials at http://www.fernlea.com/perenn/variety/di... to view this one. I'm going to look locally for 'Arctic Fire', an 8 inch tall plant that Franklin Hill Garden Seeds describes as being "literally smothered with white flowers, each bearing a bright red eye". If that doesn't move you, check out the picture at http://www.nb.net/~franklin/FHGS_Perenni... . Lastly, you won't want to overlook the Cheddar Pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus), a low-growing perennial which bears solitary, highly fragrant, deep pink, single flowers in summer. The "mats" of grey-green, grasss-like foliage are evergreen, another reason that this pink is one of my favorites. Look for both annual and perennial pink bedding plants at your local nursery or garden centre or start some from seeds. Whichever pink you choose will be a charming addition to your beds or borders this summer.

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