Pinks - Like I remember them?

justincolson

When I was growing up (late 80s/early 90s) I remember my parents had some pinks growing on a gravelly little patch of soil beside the west-facing patio. They were quite low growing, had quite thin leaves and quite plain pink flowers (but weren't an alpine type - bigger than that). Most importantly, they were quite vigorous and formed a big clump, and had a REALLY strong scent in the evenings.

When I've tried to grow pinks in my own garden now though, all the varieties you seem to find in the garden centre (Doris, Gran's Favourite, etc) seem to have less scent, seem to get leggy very quickly without forming clumps, and also seem to have bigger leaves than I remember.

Any recommendations for what the type of pinks I remember might have been? I guess it would have been a variety that was widely available in the late 80s?

Fairygirl

You need Dianthus @justincolson 
There are hundreds of varieties, and plenty of good online suppliers, but you may have difficulty obtaining any just now.
Funnily enough, I started a thread the other day about pegging them down to get new growth on bare sections 

Obelixx

 love these too and occasionally find them on sale in plant and garden centres here but you do have to sniff a lot to find the ones with perfume.  Definitely the shorter dianthus types and not the taller, leggier carnations.

If you can't get them locally, try online at nurseries such as these - https://www.calamazagnursery.co.uk/ 
https://shireplants.co.uk/dianthus-pinks/
https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=1540

fidgetbones

Look at Allwoods  website for pinks. They are famous for their carnations, but sell the old fashioned pinks as well.

https://www.allwoods.net/online-store/Heritage-&-Old-World-Garden-Pinks-c23354792