The genus dianthus contains about 300 species of flowering plants including some well known flowers like carnations
(D. caryophyllus), pinks (D. plumarius and related species) and sweet william (D. barbatus). Most of these flowers are native to Europe and Asia with a few species from North America and North Africa.
Dianthus is a cold hardy annual that can take a light frost with hardly a notice. These 'Strawberry Parfait' Dianthus (Dianthus chinensis) have been mixed in with pink and red petunias and purple Dianthus for a lovely carpet of color along the front walk to BioWorks. They will grow 6 to 8 inches in height and bloom beautifully. Some butterflies, including the Gulf Fritillary will nectar on dianthus, especially when nothing else can be found for food.
What’s in a name? The name dianthus comes from the Greek words dios which means “god” and anthos “flower”. This name was given by the Greek botanist Theophrastus who is known by some as the “Father of Botany”. Theophrastes ten volume Enquiry into Plants and eight volume On the Causes of Plants remain as the first systemization of the botanical world where plants were classified and grouped based upon their modes of generation, their localities, their sizes, and according to their practical uses.
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