What is the Clove Pink Herb Plant? What are its uses in the Garden?

It’s been a few years since I planted clove pink herb in my garden, and you know what? I was amazed to find out the amazing uses of this herb. Trust me, you will not be disappointed in growing clove pink herbs in your garden.

You must be wondering, what is it that I am so excited about the herb? For that, you need to continue reading this.

Here, I have not only mentioned the uses of clove pink herb but also explained ways to grow it so that you can also enjoy them in the garden as I do. Furthermore, if you encounter any problems, you can ask me in the comment section below.

Key takeaways:

• Clove pink blooms, which belong to the Dianthus family, resemble smaller counterparts of the famous carnation.
• The gentle pastel tones and softly frilled borders go well with a variety of different perennial bloomers.
• Pinks are hardy in USDA zones 5–8 and have a 6- to 9-inch (15–23 cm) spread with blooms that can reach 20 inches (51 cm) above the leaf mound.

What is the Clove Pink Herb Plant?

Clove pink flowers are a good choice for gardeners with limited space and sunny places. The lovely, highly perfumed blossoms have a lengthy herbal history – both in medication and as a food garnish and flavoring – and the plants have a thick tufted appearance. Clove pink herb plants may grow in a variety of soil conditions and coastal environments, as well as moderately contaminated areas. Clove Pink is an attractive and hardy plant that may be used to deal with many garden problems.

Clove pink flowers (Dianthus caryophyllus) come in a rainbow of hues, but the epithet “pinks” really alludes to an Old English word that means “pinking shears.” It refers to the plant’s notched margins rather than the color of the leaves. Clove pink herb plants are linked to carnations, and their flowers have a distinct clove aroma. These adorable tiny plants are a great addition to any garden.

The plant has an airy feel and neat arrangement before flowering, but after it blooms, it takes on a dense appearance with small, perfumed flowers. Flowers come in a variety of hues, including white, rose, lavender, red, yellow, and, of course, pink.

Latin name:	Dianthus caryophyllus
Other names:	Wild Carnation, Border Carnation
Native to:	Mediterranean area
Invasiveness:	No
Tenderness:	Herbaceous perennial
Sun:	Full Sun
Water:	Light watering
Soil	Well-drained
Hardiness zone:	Zones 6 through 8
When to plant:	Late Winter-Spring
Spacing:	12 inches
Plant height:	1-1.5 m
Bloom period:	Spring-Summer
Time to maturity:	4 to 12 months
Container friendly:	Yes
Fertilizer:	20-10-20
Toxicity:	Yes, to both cats and dogs.
Pest resistant:	Yes
Deer resistant:	Yes

Growing Clove Pink Herb Plant

Plants are easy to grow from seed or division, which should be started indoors six to eight weeks before the latest frost date in your location.

Dianthus caryophyllus is nearly unbreakable. Once established, it can withstand droughts, wet spring weather, and mild frosts. These plants are ideal for use as borders, pots, or even pavers. The optimal conditions are full sun and well-drained soil, although these plants aren’t fussy about fertility. Pinks can thrive in even the most unfriendly soil and will return year after year. When the center fades out and bloom output declines, it may be required to divide the plant. With the little blooms, deadheading might be time-consuming, but it also promotes the plant to continue blooming throughout the growing season.

Sowing Clove Pink Herb Plant

Clove pink may be planted as early as February, or even earlier in winter and is kept in warmer climates.

It can grow in a variety of soils and climates and prefers to be in the sun.

• Starting in February, you may start sowing undercover.

• Don’t cover the seeds since they require sunshine to germinate.

• They germinate around 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 20 degrees Celsius).

• Sprouting should take around a week to two weeks.

• After any fear of frost has passed, replant your clove pink in seedling pots before placing them in position throughout May.

• If the weather in your location permits, you can start sowing straight in the ground in April or May.

Sowing Clove Pink in Summers

It’s also possible to seed clove pink in pots in the summer intending to transplant them early the following spring, resulting in early flowering.

• In a nursery, sowing takes place in August and September.
• Use the same seed-sowing method as previously outlined.
• Overwinter in a protected location.
• In the spring, around March or April, based on the region, put in place.

It’s worth noting that clove pink blooms best in sunny areas.

For more such plant related-articles, you may also read, What is Purple Emperor Sedum?

Caring for Clove Pink Herb Plant

Clove pink requires minimal attention, but a few excellent habits can help it bloom longer and better.

• Cut wilting flowers regularly to encourage the emergence of fresh blossoms (deadheading).
• Only use water if there are lengthy dry periods or a heatwave.

If you own an unheated greenhouse and your clove pink is grown in a garden box, bring it in before the first frosts arrive, and it will bloom throughout the winter.

They also bloom in the winter in locations with mild winters, such as the Mediterranean environment.

Some Facts About Clove Pink Herb Plant

Clove pink is well-known for its incredible flower-bearing abilities, fragrant blossoms, and a variety of hues that span from white to red, with occasional purple or yellow blossoming.

It belongs to the vast carnation family and is an annual plant similar to China pink or sweet William. Also, there are various points of difference between alocasia ivory coat and the pink coast.

It’s common in flower shops because of its long, stiff stems, which make it easy to include in bouquets.

However, it is most commonly found in our yards, flower beds, and garden boxes since it is quite decorative and comes in a variety of hues.

Uses of Clove Pink Herb

Pinks have a long history of usage as a beautiful plant, as well as a medicinal and culinary herb. The flower was candied, used as a flavoring in syrups, and even made into a liqueur for culinary applications. The white heel, which has a harsh flavor, must be removed before utilizing the blossoms. The petals, once finished, lend beauty and taste to salads.

The use of clove pink as an aromatic is documented in history. Add the blossoms to potpourri, a laundry packet, or a spicy scent in various cosmetics. Clove pinks are used to treat stress, heartburn, and gas. There are also claims that the plant is beneficial to epileptics and cardiac patients, but these claims can’t be validated without the help of a specialist.

Clove Pink Uses:

The following are some uses of clove pink plants that will create more interest in planting them in your garden:

• The clove pink plants have a long chronicle. 
• You can use them for decorating the house and as a medicine. 
• You can use them for culinary applications by using the flower as candied to flavor in syrups and liqueur. 
• You can use the flower to remove the white heel that has a bitter flavor. 
• The petals of the plants do add beauty and flavor to salads.
• You can use the plant as an aromatic part. If you add the flower to potpourri and dry it you can use it as a spicy perfume. 
• The Clove pink plant does help in revealing tension, heartburn, and flatulence. 
• The plant is famous for being used for heart patients and epileptics.

Common Problems:

For growing Clove pink in your garden, you need to know what are the common problems that you can get while growing them. You need to handpick or use pirimiphos-methyl-based spray in case of a carnation fly. 

You can also plant garlic around these plants which will act as a deterrent. The common diseases the plant can suffer are leaf spots, rust, and wilt. 

How to Propagate Clove Pink? 

There are two basic ways to propagate Clove pink plants such as:

Cuttings:

To propagate clove pink plants you need to take the cutting from shoots that do not have flowers that will be best for them. You need to cut the leaves from the base of two to three nodes. You need to provide the cutting with light in cool and dry temperatures. You can plant the cutting in any next 30 days and make sure to add well-draining soil in the container. 

Seed:

You can propagate the plant by sowing seeds in well-draining soil. The perfect time to propagate them is during early spring. 

About the Article

Clove pink flowers are a good choice for gardeners with limited space and sunny places. In this article, we discussed Clove Pink Herb Plants – Learn About Clove Pink Uses in the Garden.