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In Bloom




Pink 'Rose du Mai' -- Dianthus plumarius 'Rose du Mai'
Growth Type: Perennial
Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9
Location at Monticello: West Lawn
Planting Conditions: Full Sun
Pink 'Rose du Mai'
Dianthus plumarius 'Rose du Mai'

This very desirable Dianthus was introduced in Britain around 1820. It is one of the earliest Pinks to bloom in the spring and continues blooming for a long period. It produces copious quantities of fragrant, double flowers of a unique shade of lilac-pink amidst attractive blue-green foliage that grows to 15 inches high and spreads up to 24 inches across.

Pinks were very popular and highly developed florists' flowers by the late eighteenth century and many forms were available in Europe and America. Today we think of "pink" as a color. The term "Pinks" in the eighteenth century, however, referred to the notched, or pinked edges of the petals.

Check Monticello's on-line shops for seeds or plants of Pink 'Rose du Mai'.