References to the plant genus Dianthus go back as far as the Greek botanist Theophrastus. He named these plants from the Caryophyllaceae family “divine flower” (dios = divine plus anthos = flower).

Jane explores the diversity of dianthus. Dianthus are a favourite for cottage gardens. They're often called carnations, clove pinks or just pinks, because they look like someone's used pinking shears ...