by Lydia Holley January 6, 2025
Are you looking for something to plant in winter besides oh-so-common pansies? Over the past couple of weeks, we have looked at cyclamen and ornamental kale. This week, we will dive into dianthus. Dianthus goes by several common names, the most usual being either pinks or sweet Williams. I always assumed the common name pinks referred to the flowers’ bubble-gum color. But while I was researching dianthus, I came across this interesting fact: dianthus are called pinks because the frilly ends of their blooms look as though they were cut with pinking shears.
There are numerous dianthus on the market, with tens of thousands of cultivars. To make matters even more confusing, some dianthus are perennial, some are annual, while others are biennial, so it can be tricky to find the perfect dianthus for your particular place and purpose. But the good thing about having an abundance of different types is that some are cold hardy enough to be planted for winter color in East Texas.
Many dianthus will remain evergreen in Zone 7 (5 degrees F), while some can withstand temperatures as low as Zone 3 (-40 degrees F). A quick look at the plant tag will help. As a reminder, East Texas is Zone 8. If you live elsewhere, you can go to https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ and put in your zip code to find your plant hardiness zone.
Remaining evergreen throughout the winter, however, is different than blooming in cold weather. If you want to plant dianthus in containers (or even in the ground) for winter color, Louisiana State University recommends the ‘Amazon’ series. These particular dianthus are hardy to temperatures as low as the teens. Surprisingly, this plant also tolerates heat well, so do not be afraid to add this plant to your garden at any time of the year.
If you cannot find the ‘Amazon’ series, Mississippi State University Extension recommends either the ‘Telstar’ or the ‘Super Parfait’ series. If temperatures dip too low, the foliage may turn purple. This week’s temperatures will surely affect them. But they should recover when temperatures warm.
Henderson County Master Gardener Association provides multiple resources at its website: https://txmg.org/hendersonmg/ or direct questions by calling the county extension office at 903-675-6130.
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