Maiden pink (Dianthus deltoides) is a plant that grows wild
throughout Great Britain on banks and in hill pastures. It is also grown in
gardens for its delicate pink flowers. It is related to carnations and sweet
williams.
Maiden pink may get its name from the flowers, which appear
from June to September. They are supposed to be the colour of a maiden’s blush
and to close with maidenly modesty when the weather is overcast. However, the
name could be a corruption of “mead pink” from its habit of growing in meadows.
Because natural meadows are encountered only rarely these days, maiden pinks
are not as common as they once were.
Maiden pink grows to a maximum height of 18 inches (45
centimetres) and consists of both flowering and non-flowering upright stems.
The upper leaves are pointed, but those lower down and on non-flowering shoots
are blunt at the end.
The flowers form open clusters, each having five toothed
petals, with long brown sepals below. When the fruit is ripe, four teeth open
to release the seeds.
The flowers have a clove-like scent that attracts
butterflies and moths.
© John Welford
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