Maiden pink (Dianthus deltoides, Sp. Pl.: 411 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 411 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Dianthus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Siberia

Description

The Maiden Pink, scientifically known as Dianthus deltoides, is a charming and resilient plant that has captured the interest of botanists and gardeners alike. Described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the famed botanist Carl Linnaeus, this perennial herb belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, a group renowned for its ornamental and robust flowering species.

Native to a vast region stretching from Europe to Siberia, the Maiden Pink thrives in diverse climates and landscapes. This adaptability is one of the reasons for its widespread cultivation and popularity in gardens around the world. In the wild, it often adorns meadows, grasslands, and open woods, lending splashes of vivid color to the natural tapestry.

The plant is characterized by its delicate, fringed petals which are typically a brilliant shade of pink, though variations in white and deep red are not uncommon. These blossoms form loose clusters atop slender, wiry stems that can reach heights of up to 30 cm (approximately 12 inches). The foliage is equally attractive, with linear, grass-like leaves that form dense mats, providing a lush, green backdrop to the vibrant flowers.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the Maiden Pink is known for its hardiness and ease of care. It flourishes in well-drained soils and full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal choice for rock gardens, borders, and ground covers. Furthermore, its extended blooming period, typically from late spring to early fall, ensures a long-lasting display of color.

The ecological value of Dianthus deltoides should not be overlooked. It serves as a nectar source for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, thereby contributing to the health and biodiversity of its environment.

Whether in its natural habitat or cultivated in a garden setting, the Maiden Pink stands as a testament to the enduring beauty and resilience of nature’s floral creations. This exquisite plant continues to delight and inspire, several centuries after its initial documentation by Linnaeus.

Common Names

Dan: bakke-nellike
Deu: heide-nelke, heidenelke
Eng: maiden pink, meadow pink
Swe: backnejlika, ketoneilikka, ängsnejlika
Nno: engnellik
Nob: engnellik
Fin: ketoneilikka
Nor: krinenellik
Fra: oeillet couché, oeillet à delta, oeillet à feuilles, oeillet à feuilles deltoïdes
Nld: steenanjer
Sme: dearbmeneillet
Cym: ceian, ceilys, euad, penigan gwyryfaidd, penigan y forwyn, penigau’r forwyn
En: Maiden pink, Meadow pink
Be: Гваздзік травянка
Bg: Делтовиден карамфил
Ca: Clavell deltoide
Cs: Hvozdík kropenatý
Da: Bakke-Nellike
Nl: Steenanjer, Heideanjer, Zwolse Anjer
Et: Nurmnelk
Fi: Ketoneilikka
Fr: Oeillet à delta, Oeillet à feuilles, Oeillet couché, Œillet couché, Œillet glauque, Œillet à delta, Oeillet à feuilles deltoïdes, Oeillet en delta, Oeillet deltoïde
De: Heide-Nelke, Heidenelke, Flettchen, Marientropfen, Vieruhrenblumen
Hu: Réti szegfű
It: Garofano minore
Lt: Šilinis gvazdikas
Se: Dearbmeneillet
No: Engnellik, Krinenellik
Nb: Engnellik
Nn: Engnellik
Pl: Goździk kropkowany
Ru: Богородицыны слезки, Гвоздика травянка
Sk: Klinček slzičkový
Es: Clavelito
Sv: Backnejlika, Ängsnejlika, Ketoneilikka
Uk: Гвоздика дельтовидна
Cy: Penigan y forwyn, Ceian, Ceilys, Euad, Penigan Gwyryfaidd, Penigau’r Forwyn

Synonyms

• Silene deltoides ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 5, 2017 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2018 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 27, 2017 by Ronald Kruwinus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2019 by Nicolas Gouti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Pavel Veselý (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Jean-Marie Frenoux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2019 by Stefan Kamps (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2020 by Ondřej Jokerrr83 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by joselu_4 (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by tsering (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2018 by emma yosemma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 28, 2021 by Anne Mauffret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2021 by Anne Mauffret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2017 by Josef Slepicka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Оксана Сергуняева Оксана Сергуняева (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:302054-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085424)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dianthus deltoides L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]