Carthusian Pink (Dianthus carthusianorum)
dy-ANN-thus carthusianorum

Deciduous Perennial Clump-Forming, Upright in the Caryophyllaceae Family
Carthusian Pink is a European wildflower prized for wiry, nearly leafless stems topped with clusters of deep magenta-pink, fringed flowers over grassy, drought-tolerant foliage.

Dianthus carthusianorum, known as Carthusian Pink, is a clump-forming perennial wildflower native to the grasslands and rocky meadows of central and southern Europe. Narrow, grass-like blue-green foliage forms a low tuft, from which tall, wiry, nearly leafless flowering stems rise well above the foliage. Each stem is topped with a dense, terminal cluster of small, fringed, deep magenta to cherry-red flowers, blooming from early to late summer. The species thrives in lean, well-drained, sunny sites and is notably drought-tolerant once established, making it a popular choice for naturalized meadow, prairie, and gravel garden plantings.

Pros

  • Drought-tolerant once established; thrives in lean, dry soil
  • Long summer bloom with bee- and butterfly-friendly flowers
  • Deer- and rabbit-resistant
  • Self-seeds readily for naturalized meadow plantings

Cons

  • Prone to crown rot in wet soil or heavy mulch
  • Short-lived individual plants, though it self-sows to persist
  • Sparse, wiry foliage can look thin in formal borders
Highlights Dense, rounded clusters of fringed magenta-pink flowers held high on wiry, nearly leafless stems above tufts of narrow grassy foliage.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 6 - 12 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Edging, Extended Bloom Time, Filler, Formal Garden, Fragrant Flowers, Full Sun, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rock Garden, Low Maintenance, Medium, Mounded, Normal Soil, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Reblooms, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Winter Interest
Bloom Period June To September
Flower Color Deep Magenta To Cherry-Red

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with other dry-soil, full-sun perennials and ornamental grasses, such as Nepeta, Salvia, Achillea, and Little Bluestem.
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2024 : 07/02 - 09/08
2023 : 06/21 - 09/10

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!