Dianthus cincinnatus
Dianthus cincinnatus · Caryophyllaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant dianthus cincinnatus: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Mountain Pink
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Plant type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Adult height
- Approximately 30 cm
- Flowering
- May to July
- Foliage
- Persistent, fine and grey-green
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates mountain cold
- Origin
- Mountainous regions of Europe
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Dianthus cincinnatus loves full sun and perfect drainage; plant it in very rocky or sandy soil, never in heavy clay.
The common mistake
Planting it in heavy soil or watering too much: it rots at the roots, especially in winter.
The pro's trick
Spread fine gravel around the crown in September; this creates a barrier against moisture and prevents winter rot.
Care
Sunlight
Mountain Pink demands maximum sunlight to flourish fully. Place it in full sun, with a minimum of 6 hours of direct light daily. This exposure promotes dense flowering and better plant structure.
Watering
This plant tolerates drought very well once established. Water moderately after planting, then allow the soil to dry between waterings. Avoid stagnant moisture, particularly in winter, which would encourage root rot.
Soil
Mountain Pink prefers well-draining, light and rather poor soil. A mixture with gravel or sand works perfectly. Adding excessive organic matter would harm its compact structure.
Pruning and cutting
Remove spent flowers regularly to extend flowering. After summer flowering, you can trim the plant lightly to encourage a compact and dense shape. Light maintenance pruning is generally sufficient.
Fertilizer
Mountain Pink is not nutrient-hungry. A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is more than enough. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This plant is generally robust and rarely susceptible to diseases. Ensure good drainage to prevent fungal rot. Spider mites or aphid populations are rare but can occur in very hot and dry conditions.
Did you know?
The genus Dianthus, to which Mountain Pink belongs, takes its name from the Greek 'dios' (divine) and 'anthos' (flower), literally meaning 'flower of god'. Carnations have long symbolized love and fascination in Europe, particularly since the Renaissance when they adorned aristocratic gardens. Their remarkable adaptation to rocky and arid terrain makes them silent witnesses to alpine landscapes for millennia.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Smooth rupturewortHerniaria glabra
- Rock soapwortSaponaria ocymoides
- Snow-in-summerCerastium tomentosum
- Sticky CatchflyViscaria vulgaris
- Creeping baby's breathGypsophila repens
- Mountain sandwortArenaria montana
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.