China Pink Victoriana Seeds - Dianthus chinensis

China Pink 'Victoriana' is a gorgeous selection of compact, richly coloured varieties. It features solid or bicoloured blooms with fringed petals, in shades ranging from pale rose to purplish pink, lilac or red. China Pinks are tender perennials, often treated as annuals in colder climates. When sown indoors in early spring, they offer a long-lasting display all summer long. Ideal for sunny borders or containers!

Dianthus 'Victoriana' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is selected from Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii (China Pink), a species primarily native to China where it occurs naturally in meadows and steppes, sandy dunes, forest margins and riverbanks. This fast-growing, short-lived perennial reaches a mature height (in full bloom) of about 45 cm (17.7 in)  for a spread of 25 cm (9.8 in) or more. It forms a small, spreading mound of linear, bright green evergreen leaves, tightly gathered on slender stems. Flowering starts in June and lasts until September-October if the soil is not too dry. It features 3 cm (1.2 in) wide, deeply fringed blooms in various rich shades of pink, mauve, purple and red. Flowers are solid, two-toned or three-toned depending on the plant. They have a delicate, sweet and spicy scent.

Dianthus 'Victoriana' is perfect for stony slopes or rock gardens where they happily spread out in the sunlight. They look very pretty over dry-stone walls and are useful for underplanting shrubs, in large pots, containers or troughs. Amend heavy or clay-based soils with gravel and coarse sand to improve drainage. China Pinks go very well with alpine plants such as alyssums, saponaria, Phlox subulata or Phlox douglasii, rock cress, candytuft and helianthemums.