Dianthus ‘Velvet and Lace’

The China Pinks are a hybrid group native to northern China, Korea, Mongolia and southeastern Russia. They are often grown as bedding annuals, but plants will usually survive a winter or two. This delightful selection features small, double, maroon-purple flowers with lacy, fringed white edges, looking very much like little carnations. Stems are good for cutting and blooms are fragrant. Divide every two years, in spring. Remove faded flowers regularly to promote new buds to form. Plants may be sheared back in mid-summer, to maintain a compact habit. Excellent in containers and tubs, as well as in the sunny border and rock garden.