Dianthus deltoides L.
Maiden Pink
Maiden pink is one of Britain's prettiest and now scarcest native wildflowers, a low, mat-forming perennial of dry, sunny places. From loose tufts of narrow, greyish-green leaves rise slender stems bearing solitary flowers around 1.5 to 2cm across, in vivid rose-red to pink (rarely white), each petal toothed at its edge and marked with pale spots and a darker band near the centre.
About
Maiden pink is one of Britain's prettiest and now scarcest native wildflowers, a low, mat-forming perennial of dry, sunny places. From loose tufts of narrow, greyish-green leaves rise slender stems bearing solitary flowers around 1.5 to 2cm across, in vivid rose-red to pink (rarely white), each petal toothed at its edge and marked with pale spots and a darker band near the centre. It grows on light, well-drained ground, favouring unimproved sandy and dry calcareous grassland, heaths, banks and rocky slopes with a warm, sunny aspect.
Flowering from June through summer into autumn, the bright blooms draw bees, butterflies and day-flying moths. Sadly it has declined steeply, much of it before 1970, and is now classed as nationally scarce and listed as vulnerable in England, its sites lost to development and agricultural intensification. It is a rewarding plant for sunny, free-draining banks, rockeries and sandy grassland restoration, where its jewel-bright flowers shine.
Also known as
Meadow Pink · Pink Maiden
Synonyms
Dianthus pratensis
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.