Maiden Pink

With stone-red flowers

Native specimens of Dianthus deltoides have relatively long stems, bright red flowers with a dark ring and a stem covered with dense hairs. This perennial species of pink has, for many years, been cultivated and used in gardens and public spaces. There are a number of different cultivars that can flower through until the autumn, sometime naturalising again.

Ecology and habitat

The Dutch vernacular name ‘steenanjer’ or ‘stone carnation’ refers to the red colour of the flowers and not its habitat. Another old name, Zwolse carnation, however does refer to its habitat. This pink grows on, amongst other places, sandy ground along the Overijssel Vecht and the Dinkel. In the summer it flowers richly, but locally, in dunes, for example along the Visserspad near Zandvoort and in the Voornse dunes near the Tenellaplas visitors’ centre. The maiden pink prefers quite poor, very sunny, but at most fairly nutrient rich sites that are lightly calcareous and dry, i.e. not affected by groundwater.

Threats

All forms of intensification of grassland with manure or cattle are fatal for the maiden pink as indeed is overgrowth. Mowing late (after flowering) does help populations spread. In Kennemerland the maiden pink does seem to be increasing in number. It is legally protected and should not be picked, let alone dug up.