Dianthus Slap ‘n’ Tickle

Description

Dianthus ‘Slap ‘n’ Tickle’ – garden pink

Botanical name: Dianthus ‘Slap ‘n’ Tickle’
Common names: Pink, garden pink
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Plant type: Evergreen perennial
Habit: Low, clump-forming, cushion-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 20–25cm tall × 30cm spread
Foliage: Narrow, grassy, grey-green to blue-green leaves forming a neat evergreen mat
Flowers: Single, sweetly clove-scented deep pink to magenta flowers with a dark central eye, over a long season from early summer, repeating well if deadheaded (June–September)
Scent: Flowers usually sweetly clove-scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Sharply drained; prefers neutral to alkaline (limy); dislikes wet and acid soils; any pH otherwise
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Open, sunny; drought-tolerant
Native range: Garden form; the genus is native to Europe and Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Low toxicity; may cause mild stomach upset if eaten and mild skin irritation in some people or pets

Dianthus ‘Slap ‘n’ Tickle’ is a vibrant garden pink with single, clove-scented deep pink flowers with a dark eye, over a very long season. Compact, free-flowering and superb for scented edging and pots.

GardenAdvice notes

A classic, much-loved cottage-garden plant, the garden pink (Dianthus) forms neat evergreen cushions of grassy grey-green foliage, topped in early summer by pretty, often frilled or laced flowers with the sweet, spicy clove scent that pinks are famous for. Compact, drought-tolerant and repeat-flowering if deadheaded, it is superb for edging, the front of sunny borders, gravel and containers, and its flowers are loved by bees and butterflies.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in sharply drained soil in full sun — pinks love a sunny, open spot and prefer neutral to alkaline (limy) soil, disliking wet and acid conditions. Improve heavy soil with grit. Ideal for edging, gravel, sunny borders and pots. Space about 25–30cm apart. Do not mulch over the crown, which can cause rot.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Deadhead regularly to prolong the flowering and encourage repeat blooms. Trim over lightly after flowering to keep the cushion neat. Water only while establishing; thereafter it is drought-tolerant. Pinks can be short-lived and go woody, so take cuttings every few years to replace them. Keep the crown dry.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take cuttings (‘pipings’) in summer, which root readily — the best way to keep a favourite going.
• Layering: Low shoots can be layered.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a sunny, well-drained spot. Its main enemies are wet, heavy or acid soil, which cause rot. Pinks are naturally fairly short-lived and go woody with age, so renew them from cuttings.

Uses in the garden

Superb for edging paths and borders, in gravel and sunny borders, rockeries and containers, where their neat evergreen cushions, pretty scented flowers and long season earn their place; lovely for small posies.

Wildlife value

The scented flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Toxicity & safety

Garden pinks have a low level of toxicity: they may cause mild stomach upset if eaten and mild skin irritation in some people or pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Slap ‘n’ Tickle’ is a cheerful, free-flowering little pink — vivid deep-pink single flowers with a striking dark eye and a lovely clove scent, produced over a very long season if you keep deadheading. It’s compact and perfect for edging, gravel or a pot; give it full sun and sharp, limy drainage, keep the crown dry, and renew it from cuttings every few years.

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