Dianthus Starry Eyes

Description

Dianthus ‘Starry Eyes’ – alpine pink

Botanical name: Dianthus ‘Starry Eyes’
Common names: Alpine pink, garden pink
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Plant type: Evergreen perennial
Habit: Compact, cushion- or mat-forming
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 10–20cm tall × 20–30cm spread
Foliage: Grey-green foliage forming low mats; evergreen
Flowers: Scented flowers with a contrasting central eye through summer (June–August)
Scent: Fragrant flowers
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Sharply drained, gritty; tolerates lime; neutral to alkaline
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Open, sunny; dislikes wet
Native range: Garden hybrid; the genus is native to Europe and Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Low toxicity; may cause mild stomach upset if eaten by pets, and the sap can occasionally irritate skin

Dianthus ‘Starry Eyes’ is a neat alpine pink forming grey-green mats studded through summer with scented flowers marked by a contrasting eye. Loving sharp drainage and sun, it suits rockeries, troughs and edging.

GardenAdvice notes

A compact, evergreen alpine pink in the carnation family, this dianthus forms a neat cushion of blue-grey or grey-green foliage topped with a generous, usually fragrant, summer display. It thrives in the lean, sharply drained, limy conditions of a rockery or sunny border edge and is loved for its scent and long flowering.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in full sun with very sharp drainage — a gritty, well-drained or limy soil is ideal, and heavy ground should be improved with grit. Plant with the neck of the plant at soil level, not buried, to avoid rot. Ideal for rockeries, troughs, walls and the front of sunny borders. Space about 25cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and keep plants tidy. Water only while establishing. Avoid rich feeding and heavy mulching over the crown, which cause rot. Pinks are naturally short-lived, so take a few cuttings each summer to keep a supply of young plants.

Propagation

• Cuttings (pipings): Take cuttings, known as pipings, from non-flowering shoots in summer — they root easily.
• Layering: Peg down side shoots to root, then detach.
• Seed: Species and some forms can be raised from seed, though named pinks are best from cuttings.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Rust and occasional aphids can occur, and plants rot in wet, heavy soil or if the crown is buried. Sharp drainage and good air movement keep them healthy.

Uses in the garden

Perfect for sunny rockeries, alpine troughs, dry stone walls, gravel gardens and the front edge of well-drained borders, where the fragrant flowers can be enjoyed close up.

Wildlife value

The nectar-rich, fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Toxicity & safety

Pinks have a low level of toxicity: they may cause mild stomach upset if eaten by pets, and the sap can occasionally irritate sensitive skin.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Starry Eyes’ earns its name from the bold contrasting eye at the centre of each fragrant flower — a detail best appreciated up close, so plant it in a trough, wall top or the very front of a border. Sharp drainage and a crown kept at soil level are the keys to keeping it healthy and long-flowering.

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