Japanese pink (Dianthus chinensis, Sp. Pl.: 411 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 411 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Dianthus

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Europe to Temp. Asia and N. India

Description

Japanese Pink: A Delightful Addition to Your Garden

Japanese pink, scientifically known as Dianthus chinensis, is a charming and vibrant flower that originates from Eastern Europe, temperate regions of Asia, and Northern India. First documented in 1753 by the botanist Carolus Linnaeus, this plant has captivated gardeners and plant enthusiasts for centuries.

Belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae, Japanese pink is a perennial herbaceous plant known for its striking and delicate flowers. These blossoms typically showcase a palette of reds, pinks, and occasional whites, often featuring a characteristic frilled petal margin. The flowers are not only visually appealing but also emit a subtle, sweet fragrance, making them a favorite for both ornamental gardening and floral arrangements.

Japanese pink thrives in temperate climates and prefers well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It appreciates full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade, which makes it versatile for various garden settings. One of the plant’s notable traits is its long blooming period, which can extend from late spring until the first frosts in autumn, providing continuous color to any landscape.

This hardy flower is relatively easy to grow and maintain. Regular watering during dry periods, occasional deadheading of spent flowers, and a moderate application of fertilizer will help to sustain its growth and flowering season. Additionally, its compact growth habit makes it suitable for borders, rockeries, and even containers.

Japanese pink also has cultural significance in various regions, often symbolizing affection and admiration in floral language. Its enduring beauty and ease of care make it an excellent choice for novice and experienced gardeners alike.

Whether you’re looking to brighten up your garden or seeking a fragrant addition to your floral collection, Japanese pink offers an array of attributes that make it an invaluable plant. Embrace the timeless elegance of Dianthus chinensis and enjoy the vibrant charm it brings to your outdoor spaces.

Common Names

Eng: china pink, indian pink, japanese pink, rainbow pink, annual pink, dianthus, pink, chinese pink
Deu: china-nelke, chinenser-nelke, kaiser-nelke
Spa: clavellina
Por: cravina, cravina-dos-jardins, cravinha, cravo
Ces: hvozdík
Fra: oeillet de chine
Swe: sommarnejlika
En: Japanese pink, Rainbow pink, Annual pink, Dianthus, China pink, Indian pink, Pink, Chinese pink
My: Zaw-hmwa-gale
Zh: Shi zhu
Cs: Hvozdík
Fr: Oeillet de Chine
De: Kaiser-Nelke, Chinenser-Nelke, China-Nelke
Ja: Sekichiku, Kara-nadeshiko
Ko: Paeraenikkot
Pt: Cravina, Cravina-dos-jardins, Cravinha, Cravo
Es: Clavellina
Sv: Sommarnejlika

Synonyms

• Dianthus chinensis var. versicolor ((Fisch. ex Link) Ma)
• Dianthus chinensis var. dentosus ((Fisch. ex Rchb.) Debeaux)
• Dianthus chinensis var. amurensis ((Jacques) Kitag.)
• Dianthus dentosus (Fisch. ex Rchb.)
• Dianthus subulifolius f. leucopetalus (Kitag.)
• Dianthus laciniatus (Makino)
• Dianthus chinensis var. morii ((Nakai) Y.C.Chu)
• Dianthus morii (Nakai)
• Dianthus sinensis (Link)
• Dianthus ruthenicus (Roem. ex Poir.)
• Dianthus chinensis var. shandongensis (J.X.Li, F.Q.Zhou)
• Dianthus versicolor (Fisch. ex Link)
• Dianthus chinensis var. longisquama (Nakai & Kitag.)
• Dianthus versicolor subsp. ninelli ((Peschkova) Baikov & N.V.Vlassova)
• Dianthus chinensis subsp. versicolor ((Fisch. ex Link) Vorosch.)
• Dianthus versicolor var. subulifolius ((Kitag.) Y.C.Chu)
• Dianthus tataricus (Fisch.)
• Dianthus chinensis var. serpens (Y.N.Lee)
• Dianthus amurensis (Jacques)
• Dianthus chinensis var. laciniatus (E.G.Hend. ex J.Dix)
• Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii (Hend. ex J.Dix)
• Dianthus jeniseensis (Less. ex Ledeb.)
• Dianthus chinensis f. ignescens ((Nakai) Kitag.)
• Dianthus willdenowii (Link)
• Dianthus chinensis f. imperialis (T.Moore)
• Dianthus chinensis var. trinervis (D.Q.Lu)
• Dianthus collinus var. scaber (Gaudin)
• Dianthus chinensis var. jingpoensis (G.Y.Zhang & X.Y.Yuan)
• Dianthus fischeri (Spreng.)
• Dianthus seguieri var. dentosus ((Fisch. ex Rchb.) Franch.)
• Dianthus chinensis var. subulifolius ((Kitag.) Ma)
• Dianthus altaicus (Willd. ex Ledeb.)
• Dianthus chinensis var. liaotungensis (Y.C.Chu)
• Dianthus chinensis var. macrosepalus (Franch. ex L.H.Bailey)
• Dianthus versicolor var. alpinus (Krylov)
• Dianthus chinensis var. ignescens (Nakai)
• Dianthus versicolor f. leucopetalus ((Kitag.) Y.C.Chu)
• Dianthus versicolor var. ninelli (Peschkova)
• Dianthus subulifolius (Kitag.)
• Dianthus umbellatus (DC.)
• Dianthus pulcher (Salisb.)
• Dianthus chinensis f. albiflora (Y.N.Lee)
• Dianthus patens (Willd.)
• Dianthus serratus var. scaber (DC.)
• Dianthus chinensis f. heddewigii ((Hend. ex J.Dix) T.Moore)
• Dianthus schraderi (Rchb.)
• Dianthus chinensis var. sylvaticus (W.D.J.Koch)
• Dianthus pineticola (Kleopow)
• Dianthus ibericus (Willd.)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Assam (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 18, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2017 by chriselis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2018 by Moisès Duke (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 17, 2022 by Luz Esperanza Ferrer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2020 by Martínez Ernesto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by Shrinivas Sudhir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by quispe arocutipa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Júlia Moura (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2022 by Kevin McGrath (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by Yoann Pujol (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2016 by Vert Ahrikot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2016 by Vert Ahrikot (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Oktay Meriç (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2020 by luciecharlo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by Katalin K. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2020 by guimaraes jocemara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2021 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by FUENTES LUIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Oktay Meriç (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085418)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:153215-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dianthus chinensis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth