Cheddar Pink

Or “Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Grandiflorus,’” an herbaceous perennial in the Caryophyllaceae family. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden site, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=y210 » “No serious insect or disease problems. Crown rot can be a serious problem if plants are grown in wet, poorly drained soils. … Cheddar pinks are best in rock gardens, border fronts or in some difficult sites such as rocky slopes or over stone walls. Effective small area ground cover. Also an effective edging plant.”

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Dianthus_gratianopolitanus&rank=binomial

Photo taken at SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

1 year ago (“Dissonance”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-04-08
2 years ago (“Easter pastels”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-04-08
3 years ago (“Prelude to a birthday…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-04-08

[Tara]

The petals remind me of a carnation. Beautiful capture.

[Thom Mitchell]

@tara11 Thank you, Tara. Actually, carnations are part of the same genus as this species, Dianthus!

[Danette Thompson]

I love Dianthus. It doesn't grow here. This is a beautiful one.

[Thom Mitchell]

@danette Thank you, Danette! Are you in the right business? You seem to know a *LOT* about plants & flowers!!

[Rick Schies]

Great focus and DOF. Nice job!