Pink Kisses Dianthus Dianthus Pink Kisses = 'Kledg12163' (PBR) (pt)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus Pink Kisses is a delightful perennial plant known for its charming and abundant bi-colored flowers. The blossoms are distinctive with their two-tone pink coloration, featuring a deeper pink or magenta hue concentrated in the middle of the petals, which then softens to a lighter pink towards the fringed edges. Each flower opens to reveal a neat, round blossom with densely packed petals that create an overall full and lush appearance. Their striking coloration is often adorned with a whimsical kiss of darker pink spots in the center, adding to the "kisses" theme of the plant's naming. In addition to the captivating flowers, Dianthus Pink Kisses has narrow, grey-green leaves that form a dense clump, offering a beautiful contrast against the vibrancy of the blooms. The leaves are slender, with a linear form, and they provide a nice backdrop that accentuates the colorful display above. The flowering stems rise just above the foliage, allowing the blooms to dance gently in the breeze and attract the attention of onlookers. The plant exhibits a tidy, mounded growth habit, making it a suitable choice for rock gardens, borders, or as a colorful addition to container gardens. The flowers of Dianthus Pink Kisses also exude a lovely, subtle fragrance that can add a layer of sensory delight to any garden setting. The combination of its eye-catching blossoms, delightful scent, and compact foliage make this plant a favorite among garden enthusiasts seeking to add a splash of color and charm to their outdoor spaces.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Pink Kisses, Pink Kisses Carnation, Dwarf Carnation Pink Kisses
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Kledg12163'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Generally, Dianthus, commonly known as carnations or pinks, are not considered toxic to humans. They are often used in gardens and floral arrangements without issue. However, ingestion of any plant material can potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, especially if consumed in large quantities. As with any non-food plant, it is advisable to avoid ingesting parts of the Dianthus plant.
- To pets
  Dianthus, commonly known as carnations or pinks, is not listed as a toxic plant to common household pets such as dogs and cats by major animal health organizations like the ASPCA. While it is generally considered non-toxic, sensitive pets might still experience mild gastrointestinal upset if they ingest parts of the plant, including symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. It is always best to monitor your pets around plants and discourage them from eating ornamental vegetation.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot (30 centimeters)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 centimeters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  6
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Dianthus Pink Kisses offers beautiful pink flowers with distinctive two-tone patterns that can enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Compact Growth: It has a neat, compact growth habit, making it suitable for small spaces or as a border plant.
- Long Blooming Season: This variety typically enjoys a long flowering period, providing color from spring through to late summer.
- Low Maintenance: Pink Kisses is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal upkeep aside from occasional deadheading and watering.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers can attract bees and butterflies to the garden, supporting local biodiversity.
- Fragrant Flowers: The blooms emit a sweet fragrance that can be enjoyed in the garden or when cut and brought indoors.
- Versatility: Suitable for planting in beds, borders, containers, and rockeries.
- Resistant to Deer: It's known to be deer-resistant, making it a good option for areas where deer predation can be a problem.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Dianthus Pink Kisses can be quite tolerant of dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Cold Hardy: The plant is tolerant of cold temperatures and can survive through mild winters in suitable climates.
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
- Edible Garnish: Dianthus petals are edible and can add a splash of color and subtle spicy flavor to salads, desserts, or drinks.
- Natural Dye: The flowers of the Dianthus plant can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics or artistic purposes.
- Perfumery: The sweet fragrance of Dianthus flowers can be extracted and used in homemade perfumes or scented sachets.
- Creative Crafts: Dried Dianthus flowers can be incorporated into potpourri mixtures, candles, or papermaking for added texture and color.
- Floral Arrangements: This plant can be used as the focal point of bouquets or table centerpieces for events and home decor.
- Companion Planting: Dianthus can be planted in vegetable gardens to attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
- Culinary Infusions: The blossoms can be used to infuse syrups, sugars, or oils with their color and subtle flavor for culinary use.
- Ice Cubes: Frozen Dianthus petals can be encased in ice cubes to create visually appealing and flavor-enhancing additions to beverages.
- Photography: The vibrant colors and intricate patterns of Dianthus make it a popular subject for botanical photography.
- Soil Health Indicator: Dianthus plants can serve as indicators of soil health, as they flourish in well-draining, slightly alkaline soils.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Carnation is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Carnation is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: The common name "Pink Kisses" implies a tender, affectionate form of love, making this Dianthus variety symbolic of romantic emotions and the sweetness of loving relationships.
- Admiration: Dianthus flowers, in general, are often associated with admiration and can be given to express high esteem or honor towards someone.
- Passion: The vivid colors and fragrance of Dianthus Pink Kisses suggest intensity and passion, making it representative of strong, heartfelt desires and enthusiasm.
- Purity: The delicate appearance of the bloom can symbolize purity and innocence, resonating with the more chaste and sincere aspects of love.
- Longevity: With proper care, Dianthus plants can return year after year, symbolizing lasting affection and the endurance of love over time.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Pink Kisses Carnation requires even moisture, but it dislikes sitting in wet soil. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which could be once a week or more frequently in hot weather. Apply water directly to the soil to keep the foliage dry and prevent mildew or fungal diseases. In terms of amount, ensure that you provide about half a gallon of water for outdoor plants to saturate the root zone effectively, adjusting for rainfall and temperature conditions.
Light
Pink Kisses Carnation thrives best in full sunlight to partial shade. The ideal location for this plant is a spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Avoid placing it in deep shade, as this can reduce blooming and weaken the plant. Morning light with some afternoon shade is optimal in areas with hot summers.
Temperature
Pink Kisses Carnation prefers moderate temperatures and can typically withstand temperatures as low as 20°F. These plants grow best at temperatures between 60°F to 75°F. However, it is crucial to protect them from extreme cold, so ensure they are not exposed to temperatures below 20°F, which could be fatal.
Pruning
Prune Pink Kisses Carnation to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming. Regular deadheading will keep the plant looking neat and will stimulate the growth of new buds. Perform a more significant trim back in early spring before new growth starts to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged stems. The best time for pruning is after the main flush of blooms has finished.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Dianthus 'Pink Kisses' is well-draining and slightly alkaline, with a pH between 6.7 and 7.5. A blend of loamy garden soil, compost, and sharp sand or perlite to improve drainage is ideal for growing these plants.
Repotting
Dianthus 'Pink Kisses' should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. It's best to repot in the spring before the onset of the growing season.
Humidity & Misting
Dianthus 'Pink Kisses' prefers moderate to low humidity levels. They are tolerant of dry air and do not require high humidity to thrive.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright indirect light, in well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun with well-draining soil; protect from excessive moisture.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Pink Kisses', commonly known as Pink Kisses pinks, starts its life as a seed, germinating in warm, well-drained soil, typically in the spring. The seedling stage follows, where the plant develops its first true leaves and roots establish themselves further into the soil. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it grows larger and stronger, producing more leaves and stems, preparing for the flowering phase. During the flowering stage, typically occurring from late spring to early fall, Pink Kisses produces abundant small, pink flowers with a distinctive bi-color pattern that are fragrant and attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the plant may produce small, capsule-like fruits containing seeds for the next generation. In the final stage, as winter approaches, the plant may die back, but being a perennial, it can survive the cold season to regrow from its root system the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- The Dianthus Pink Kisses, a charming variety of dianthus, is commonly propagated through cuttings, which is both a popular and efficient method. For the best results, this is typically done in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate through cuttings, a healthy, non-flowering stem is selected. A sharp, sterilized knife or pair of scissors is used to make a cut, ensuring that the cutting is about 3-4 inches long and includes several sets of leaves. The bottom leaves are removed, and the cutting is dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mix, ensuring that at least one set of leaves is above the soil surface. The soil is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged, and the cutting is placed in a warm area with indirect sunlight until roots have established, which usually takes a few weeks.