Visit any garden center in spring and among the first offerings for sale are flats of China pinks, Cheddar pinks and Sweet Williams, all forms of Dianthus known collectively as “garden pinks.” Ancient posies from Europe and Asia in the carnation family, the fringed blossoms were called gilliflowers in old texts and in Roman times, Jove’s flower.
The carnation connection is obvious: Pinks and Sweet Williams look for all the world like miniature carnations and are beloved for the same reasons: a sweet clove scent, strong essential oils and perky good looks on long stems, perfect for arrangements. (“Pinks” refers to their frilled or ragged petal edges as if cut with pinking shears, not the color.)
A distant cousin, rose campion (Lychnis or Silene coronaria) is another old flower dating from the 1600s. Native to Europe, campion was brought to the New World by the colonists. In fact the first mention of it growing in America is in Thomas Jefferson’s garden book, according to Monticello. It can be found there today in the estate’s restored gardens.
Pinks, sweet williams and campion are all easy flowers to grow as long as they get plenty of sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Here’s what to know.
