Dianthus caryophyllus L.

Perennial herb, somewhat woody at the base, loosely caespitose, usually glaucous, up to 80 cm. Plants without sterile shoots at the base, but some floriferous stems may bear sterile side-branches. Leaf pairs 5-7 above the rosette. Leaves glaucous, glabrous, linear-narrowly elliptic, 2-3 mm broad, rather rigid, almost flat. Inflorescence an open cyme with few, rather large, strongly fragrant flowers. Epicalyx scales 4, about 1/4 as long as the calyx, broadly ovate, cuspidate. Calyx 2.5-3 cm long, subcylindrical, teeth c. 5 mm, acuminate to subobtuse. Petals white, pink or red, or yellow, with dentate lamina.

It is a warm temperate plant. It is best in light to medium, well-drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

The flowers are used as herbs for flavouring food. They smell of clove. They are candied and also used to garnish fruit salads, ice creams and in drinks. The bitter white bottom of the petals needs to be taken off.

Plants can be grown from seed. It can also be grown by cuttings.