The Fringed Pink (Dianthus superbus) is an indigenous herbaceous European perennial. The plant itself is highly attractive. The plant foliage consists of long narrow leaves that are a combination of grey and green with the odd hint of blue. The plant has charming blooms that range from almost white in color to a deep pink. Take a close look at the formation of the flower and you will see the beauty of the plant. The centre of the bloom comprises of five round edged petals and a lacy outer petal springs from each of those five inner petals.
The plant is easy to grow and can be raised from seed. The seeds can be planted straight into well drained soil. If preferred you can plant the seeds into trays and bring them on in a propagator or the greenhouse. The plant has no special growing requirements, the Fringed Pink acclimatises to most soil types. This is a plant that enjoys plenty of light and warmth. If you live in a particularly hot climate and you want to plant Fringed Pink then you should consider shading it from the glare of full sun.
The plant blooms from June until August. The plant will grow to a maximum of twenty inches high and about two foot wide. The plant grows freely on rockeries, along paths and it is a good plant for border edgings and containers. The blooms are fragrant and that fragrance is strong and long lasting. The plant produces plenty of scented blooms which can be cut and used indoors. The Fringed Pink will flower in the first year. If you take time to clear away the dead heads then that will encourage the plant to flower for longer. The fragrance is unusual, the plant emits a heady fragrance that is similar to that of cloves mixed with spice.
The Japanese know the plant as `Nadesiko`. Translate `Nadesiko` and that gives you `Pretty girl`. The plant could not have a name that is more appropriate. The Romans called the plant `Joves flower` and they regarded it as being divine. The plant is sociable and it blends in well with other garden plants. Plant Fringed Pink and you can be assured that it will take little time to maintain.
The plant is favoured by Japanese herbalists who use it to treat digestive disorders. When the leaves of the plant are young then they can be boiled and eaten and the flowers are filled with a sweet nectar.
