Pinks Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett' (b)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett', commonly known as "pinks," is a distinctive ornamental plant notable for its striking appearance. Its flowers exhibit a vibrant color palette, with petals that can range from deep rose to a soft pink hue. The petals are often fringed or serrated on the edges, adding an intricate, lacy quality to the blooms. Individual flowers typically consist of a dense cluster of petals that may exhibit a subtle gradient of color from the center out towards the edges, creating an eye-catching effect. The flowers exude a spicy, clove-like fragrance that is particularly noticeable on warm days, adding to the sensory appeal of the plant. The foliage of Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett' forms a tidy mound, with slender, linear leaves that exhibit a blue-green or grayish-green hue. The leaves are often described as grass-like, contributing to a textural contrast in the garden. The overall growth habit of this plant is dense and compact, giving it a lush appearance throughout its growing season. The attractive foliage complements the flowers both in color and form, and it provides a pleasing backdrop for the showy blossoms. In the landscape, Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett' is appreciated for its extended blooming period, with flowers often appearing from late spring into early summer and sometimes re-blooming in the fall. This variety of pinks can serve as a beautiful and fragrant addition to garden borders, rockeries, or as part of a cottage garden scheme. They are also used effectively in containers or as cut flowers due to their long-lasting quality and delightful aroma.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae.
- Synonyms
  Chesswood Lidgett Carnation, Chesswood Lidgett Pink.
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Dianthus is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, as with any plant, individual reactions can vary, and some people may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions after handling the plant or its sap. Ingestion is typically not a concern as dianthus is not known to be poisonous when consumed in small quantities. If large amounts were ingested, there's a possibility of gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea or vomiting, though this is relatively uncommon.
- To pets
  Dianthus is generally considered non-toxic to pets. It is not known to cause serious harm if pets were to ingest the plant. However, as with any non-food item, ingestion of large amounts could potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. It’s always best to prevent pets from ingesting plants as a precaution and to maintain close observation if your pet tends to chew on garden plants or flowers.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 feet 1 inches (34 cm)
- Spread
  1 feet 2 inches (36 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic appeal: Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett', commonly known as Pinks, offers vibrant pink flowers that add color and visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Perfume: Pinks are well-known for their spicy fragrance, which can add a pleasant scent to garden areas and cut flower arrangements.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers of Pinks attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, helping to support local ecosystems.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Pinks are relatively drought-tolerant, making them suitable for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
- Low maintenance: Pinks are generally low maintenance, requiring minimal care once they are settled in a suitable location.
- Long blooming period: Pinks often have a lengthy flowering season, providing color in the garden for an extended period.
- Edible petals: The petals of Pinks are edible and can be used as a decorative and flavorful addition to salads, desserts, and drinks.
- Cold hardy: Pinks are cold hardy, allowing them to survive and thrive in cooler climates where other plants might struggle.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Creating Dye: The petals of the Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett', commonly known as pinks, can be used to create a natural dye for coloring fabrics or art supplies.
- Edible Decorations: The vibrant petals of pinks can be used to decorate cakes and desserts, as they are edible and offer a touch of elegance to culinary presentations.
- Floral Arranging: Pinks are commonly used in floral arrangements not only for their beauty but also for their long-lasting qualities and their wide range of colors to complement various design styles.
- Homemade Potpourri: Dry the petals of pinks to create a fragrant potpourri that can naturally freshen up a room.
- Bookmark Embellishment: Pressed flowers from pinks can be used to create beautiful and unique bookmarks for book lovers.
- Scented Sachets: Pinks have a clove-like fragrance, making their petals or whole flowers ideal for creating scented sachets for drawers and closets.
- Plant-based Insect Repellent: Pinks can sometimes be used around the garden to create a natural insect deterrent due to their strong fragrance.
- Photography: Pinks, with their texture and colors, are excellent subjects for macro photography, allowing photographers to capture delicate details up close.
- Social Rituals: In some cultures, pinks may be used in social ceremonies or placed in boutonnieres and corsages for their fragrance and symbolism.
- Greeting Cards: Dried petals of pinks can be affixed to handmade paper or greeting cards to add a three-dimensional floral element.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Dianthus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Dianthus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Dianthus, commonly known as "Pinks," typically symbolizes love and affection, making it a popular choice for romantic occasions.
- Admiration: These flowers are often given as a symbol of admiration, expressing someone's high regard and respect for another person.
- Pure Love: The pure, often sweet fragrance and the delicate appearance of the Pinks are associated with pure or innocent love.
- Boldness: The vivid colors of the Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett' can represent boldness and daring, mirroring the plant's striking appearance.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The common name for Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett' is Pinks. Pinks prefer consistent moisture but do not do well with overwatering or waterlogged soil. They should be watered deeply whenever the top inch of soil starts to dry out, which usually means approximately once a week, although this can vary depending on climate and weather conditions. During hot, dry periods, they might need water twice a week. The amount of water should be roughly 1 gallon for an outdoor plant or 4-6 ounces for a smaller indoor plant, each watering session.
Light
Pinks thrive best in full sun, meaning they should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal spot would be in a south-facing garden or by a sunny window where they can soak up plenty of rays. Avoid deep shade areas, as this can stunt growth and reduce flowering.
Temperature
Pinks are cold-hardy and can withstand temperatures down to about 20°F, but they perform best in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F. They can survive up to 85°F, yet prolonged heat above this can stress the plants. Ideally, Pinks should be grown in areas with cool nights and warm days to encourage robust growth.
Pruning
Pinks benefit from pruning to promote bushy growth and to remove dead or spent flowers, known as deadheading. Pruning is best done after the first flush of blooms fades, which is typically in early summer. Cut back the flowering stems by one-half to encourage a second blooming and to keep the plant tidy. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves as needed throughout the growing season to maintain the health and appearance of the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnation 'Chesswood Lidgett' thrives best in well-draining, loamy to sandy soil that's rich in organic matter. The pH should be slightly alkaline, around 7.0 to 8.5. Adding compost or well-rotted manure can enhance soil fertility for this plant.
Repotting
Carnation 'Chesswood Lidgett' generally needs repotting every one to two years. It is best to repot in the spring before the new growth starts.
Humidity & Misting
Carnation 'Chesswood Lidgett' prefers average to low humidity conditions. However, it is vital to ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light, and keep the soil slightly moist.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, protect from extreme weather, enrich soil with compost.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett', commonly known as Carnation, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in spring or early summer in well-drained soil and with ample sunlight. After germination, the seedling develops into a rosette of leaves at the ground level. As the plant matures, it develops stems and foliage, with the formation of flower buds being the next critical stage. Carnations typically bloom in late spring to early summer, producing fragrant flowers in a variety of colors that can last for several weeks. After flowering, the plant sets seed, which can be collected for propagation or left to self-sow. Perennials like carnations may enter a dormancy phase in late autumn or winter, depending on the climate, only to regrow from the same root system the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Dianthus 'Chesswood Lidgett', commonly known as Pinks, is readily propagated through cuttings, the most popular method for this plant. The ideal time for taking cuttings is late spring to summer, when the plant is actively growing. To propagate Pinks by cuttings, one should select healthy, non-flowering stems. A cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (about 10 to 15 centimeters) is snipped just below a node, from which the lower leaves are removed. The base of the cutting is then dipped in rooting hormone to enhance root development and planted in a well-draining soil mixture. To maintain humidity, the cutting can be covered with a plastic bag or placed in a propagator. The cutting should be kept in a bright, indirect light until roots have developed, after which it can be transplanted into the garden or a more permanent container.