Pinks Dianthus (Allwoodii Group) 'Bovey Belle' (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

'Bovey Belle' is a charming variety within the Dianthus, or more commonly known as the 'Pinks', hailing from the Allwoodii Group. It features a wealth of strikingly beautiful flowers, bearing a resemblance to miniature carnations. The blossoms are renowned for their exquisite, deeply fringed petals that exude a delicate, sweet fragrance. Each flower showcases a refined, double form with lush layers of petals, which often display a blend of soft to vibrant pink hues, sometimes accented with lighter or darker shades, thus generating a highly romantic and old-fashioned appearance. The foliage of 'Bovey Belle' contributes to its overall allure, forming a neat, dense clump of slender, linear, grayish-green leaves that offer an attractive backdrop for the vivid blossoms. The leaves are evergreen, providing a year-round interest in the garden. The appealing contrast between the soft petals and the foliage intensifies the visual impact of the plant. The plant heralds the arrival of spring and early summer with its profuse flowering, making it popular among gardeners who appreciate its continuous and abundant displays. Owing to its delightful presentation, 'Bovey Belle' is often utilized in borders, rockeries, containers, and as a charming ground cover, alongside being a coveted choice for cut flowers due to its engaging fragrance and lasting beauty.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Allwood's Pinks, Bovey Belle Dianthus, Hybrid Dianthus Bovey Belle.
- Common names
  Dianthus (Allwoodii Group) 'Bovey Belle' (p)
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Dianthus is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no significant toxic effects reported for humans from ingesting this plant. However, as with any non-food plants, ingesting them is not advisable and could potentially cause mild stomach upset or an allergic reaction in some individuals.
- To pets
  Dianthus is also generally considered non-toxic to pets. It is not known to cause serious harm to pets such as dogs and cats if ingested. However, eating non-food plants can sometimes result in mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, especially if consumed in large quantities. Always monitor your pets and prevent them from eating plants not intended for consumption.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and beauty to gardens with its attractive pink flowers.
- Fragrance: Emits a pleasant scent that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden or indoor space.
- Long Blooming: Often has a long flowering period which ensures color in the garden for an extended time.
- Attracts Pollinators: Can attract bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
- Low Maintenance: Generally easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established.
- Drought Resistance: Can tolerate periods of low water availability, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
- Cold Hardy: Has the ability to withstand cooler temperatures, which is beneficial for gardens in temperate zones.
- Versatile: Suitable for a variety of garden settings, including borders, rockeries, and containers.
- Deer Resistance: Less attractive to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
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
- Eco-friendly Ground Cover: Dianthus plants, including 'Bovey Belle', can serve as eco-friendly ground cover alternatives to lawns, reducing the need for frequent mowing and watering.
- Edible Flowers: The flowers of Dianthus 'Bovey Belle' are edible and can be used to add color and a mild spicy flavor to salads, desserts, or drinks.
- Bath Additive: The fragrant petals of 'Bovey Belle' can be added to bathwater for a naturally soothing and aromatic experience.
- Natural Fabric Dye: The petals of 'Bovey Belle' contain pigments that can be used to naturally dye fabrics a subtle hue.
- Garden Borders: With their compact growth and colorful flowers, Dianthus 'Bovey Belle' is ideal for creating visually appealing borders along garden pathways.
- Craft Projects: Dried flowers of 'Bovey Belle' can be used in craft projects, such as in making potpourri, bookmarks, or pressed flower art.
- Plant Companionship: 'Bovey Belle' can be planted alongside vegetable gardens, as it is believed to attract pollinators while possibly deterring some pests.
- Scented Sachets: The dried petals of Dianthus 'Bovey Belle' retain their fragrance and can be used in scented sachets to freshen up drawers and closets.
- Ice Cube Decor: Freeze petals of 'Bovey Belle' in ice cubes to create decorative and edible additions that enhance drinks at special occasions.
- Floral Arrangements: The long-lasting flowers of 'Bovey Belle' are suitable for fresh or dried floral arrangements, providing a touch of elegance and fragrance indoors.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Carnation is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Carnation is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Dianthus is often associated with love and affection. The 'Bovey Belle' variety, with its vibrant colors and appealing scent, can symbolize deep romantic feelings and the desire to express love.
- Admiration: The striking beauty of this flower often conveys admiration for someone's charms and accomplishments, signaling respect and high esteem.
- Passion: The bold hues and spicy fragrance of Dianthus 'Bovey Belle' are evocative of passion and strong emotions, making it a representation of intense, fervent feelings.
- Boldness: The Dianthus 'Bovey Belle' has a resilient and hardy character that reflects a spirit of courage and boldness, inspiring individuals to face challenges confidently.
- Purity: Despite its vibrant appearance, Dianthus is also commonly associated with purity and innocence, perhaps due to the clarity of its colors and its simple yet elegant form.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Dianthus 'Bovey Belle', commonly known as the Pinks, requires consistent moisture but must not be waterlogged. Water the plant when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering approximately once a week. Use a gentle shower from a watering can to avoid disturbing the delicate foliage, providing enough water to soak the root zone. In warmer months, you may need to water more frequently, especially if the Pinks is in a container. Offer about 1 gallon of water per plant each time you water, ensuring that excess water drains well to prevent root rot.
Light
Pinks thrive best in full sun conditions where they can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal spot would be in an open garden bed or border that is not shaded by larger plants or structures. If you're planting them in a position that receives partial shade, make sure that the light is bright and the location receives some direct sunlight, especially during the morning.
Temperature
Pinks do well in a wide range of temperatures, but they prefer cooler conditions and are hardy in temperatures as low as 40°F. The ideal temperature range for thriving Pinks is between 60-75°F during the day. They can withstand occasional dips below freezing, and seasonal temperature fluctuations, but extended periods of extreme heat above 85°F may stress the plant.
Pruning
Pruning Pinks is essential for maintaining their shape and encouraging a robust bloom. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms and prune back the stems by one-third after the first flush of flowers has finished to promote a second blooming. The best time for a more extensive pruning is in early spring to remove any dead or damaged stems and to shape the plant for the upcoming growing season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Pinks (the common name for Dianthus 'Bovey Belle') is well-draining, loamy soil with some organic matter mixed in. A pH range of neutral to slightly alkaline (6.75 to 7.5) is ideal for this plant. Mixing in sand and compost with garden soil can create an ideal growing medium for Pinks.
Repotting
Pinks should be repotted every two to three years to prevent them from becoming root-bound and to replenish the soil's nutrients. Spring is the best time to repot these plants, just before the new growth starts.
Humidity & Misting
Pinks prefer moderate humidity conditions. They thrive in an environment that mimics their natural habitat, so aiming for about 40-60% humidity is ideal for these plants. They do not require the high humidity that tropical plants often do.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide full sun, well-draining soil, and avoid overwatering.
- Outdoor
  Place in full sun, in well-drained soil; protect from extreme cold.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Bovey Belle' begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in warm, well-drained soil, typically in late spring or early summer. Seedlings emerge and establish a rosette of leaves at the ground level. Over time, they develop a strong root system and vegetative growth, with stems elongating and leaves maturing. Flower buds form at the tips of the stems, which then bloom into the characteristic fragrant pink flowers, usually from late spring to early fall. After pollination, often by insects, the flowers produce seeds, which are then dispersed by wind or other means, completing the reproductive cycle. The plant may die back in winter, especially in colder climates, but it is a perennial and will re-emerge in the following spring to repeat its life cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method of propagation for Dianthus 'Bovey Belle' is by softwood cuttings. This technique is generally performed in late spring to early summer when new growth is mature enough to handle without wilting but still young and supple. A cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 centimeters) is taken from a healthy, non-flowering stem with a sharp, clean knife or scissors. The lower leaves are removed and the stem is dipped in a rooting hormone powder or solution to encourage root development. The cutting is then inserted into a container of moistened potting mix or a well-draining propagation medium. The environment around the cutting should be kept humid, often by covering with a plastic bag or placing in a propagator, and it should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent drying out. Rooting typically occurs within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions and eventually transplanted into the garden or a permanent pot.