Pink Dianthus multiply easily and are deer resistant

Because woven cloth will fray when cut, special scissors with saw-toothed blades are used. The zig-zag cut limits the length of each thread, so fraying is avoided.

These “‘pinking scissors’” are not named for the color pink, but for the plant named pink, in the genus Dianthus. The ragged edges of the Dianthus petals indeed look as if they are cut by pinking shears.

Just as lilac became synonymous with a light purple color even though lilacs come in colors such as white or deep red, the pale red color known as pink may have come from one of the garden pinks’ most familiar colors.

The Garden Pinks or Dianthus genus includes annuals, biennials and perennials such as carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) and Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus). Most are low, growing only 10 to 20 inches tall, though some carnations can reach three feet tall.

Pinks (Dianthus plumarius) multiply easily and are deer resistant. The fragrant blossoms come in many colors and make excellent cut flowers. For earliest blooms start Pinks (Dianthus) seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost. When started indoors, they will usually bloom the first year.

You can also sow Pinks seeds directly in the garden once the ground has warmed up and all danger of frost has passed. When planted directly in the garden, Pinks probably will not flower until the following year. Plant the seeds one-eighth-inch deep in light, well-drained soil in full sun. They do best in rich soil that is slightly alkaline with pH 6.75. If your soil pH is below 7.0, add crushed dolomitic limestone. If your soil is too acidic, add wood ashes to lower the pH.

You can also propagate Pinks by taking cuttings or by dividing existing clumps of plants.

Take softwood tip cuttings in the spring or in early summer. Coat the cuttings with rooting hormone and plant in flats or pots. Keep moist, but not soggy, and your plants should be fully rooted and hardy enough to set out into the garden by fall.

Older clumps of Pinks can be divided and replanted. Dividing old clumps rejuvenates the existing plants. It’s easy to divide them in early spring just as they begin to sprout. Simply dig the entire clump up, roots and all, and gently pull it apart with your hands. If the clumps are too big or strong, use two gardening forks, cut into the center of the clump then slowly pry the plant apart. Each piece should have roots and be ready to be immediately replanted. It is a good idea to divide your Pinks every three to four years. Unless it is very dry, watering once a week is fine.

Pinks grow from a crown or leaves at the top of the root structure, so to prevent rot never bury any part of the stems or crown, and do not mulch them.

To keep blooms coming all season remove all faded flowers as they die. Because pinks often reseed themselves, you can let some of the flowers go to seed and increase next year’s blooms.

After your first killing frost in autumn, cut the plants down to just an inch or two above the soil line. Pinks do well in containers, in the front of mixed borders, planted as a cutting garden, or part of cottage gardens.

Use the nutmeg scented blossoms steeped in wine, coated with sugar as cake decorations, or tossed in salads. Pinks are one of the secret ingredients in the French liqueur Chartreuse.

Pink is a flower, a color and a mood, so much so that a band once known as Tea Set would go on to sell over 250 million records and influence David Bowie, Queen, Phish, Radiohead, and Yes, but only after the band changed their name.

They combined the names of blues singers Pink Anderson and Floyd Council to become Pink Floyd. And that made gardeners who are music lovers tickled pink.