Quick Guide: summer, hardy, full sun, height: 15-23cm/6-9in, width: 10cm/4in

The genus Dianthus includes garden pinks, border carnations and florists' perpetual-flowering carnations. Manv of the so called species pinks, exquisite perennials for the rock garden, are strongly scented. The narrow leaves are grey-green and the blooms white, red or shades of pink, sometimes with a central eye.

GROWING Set out young plants in spring or autumn, not too deep, in well-drained non-acid soil. Rake bonemeal into the surface just before planting. Water spring plantings in dry weather; keep autumn-planted stock free of fallen leaves. Pinch out the leading shoots in spring to encourage side-shoots. Remove old stems after flowering.

PROPAGATION Take 7.5cm/3in cuttings in summer and insert in a peat/loam/sand mixture in a cold frame until rooted. Pot up individually or transfer to the flowering site.

SPECIES D. deltoides, numerous tiny pink or white flowers until autumn, self-seeds freely, tolerates semi-shade; named varieties include `Brilliancv', bright pink, `Albus', white; D. caesius (correct name -D. gratianopolitanus, cheddar pink), long-lived, spreading, fringed fragrant pink flowers, early summer; `Flore-pleno' is a double form.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Leaf rot in winter.