The botanical name DIANTHUS comes from two Greek Words - 'dios', referring to the god Zeus, and 'anthos', meaning flower- thus translated as 'flower of the gods' Commonly known as Carnations, they are the second most popular commercially grown flower in the world, after Roses and have been cultivated for well over 2,000 years.

Despite being classified as a perennial DIANTHUS are a tad tender for my gardens and rarely last for more than a season or two. For that reason I get to try many different varieties. The white one pictured here (approx. 6" tall) is a variety called 'Night White' that I added to my gardens last season. Too soon yet to tell whether or not it survived the winter here.

Photographed this small shrub-type perennial after dark. While it's a crisply white satin-like blossom in the daylight I was surprised by the slight tinges of color evident when I photographed it in the evening. Definitely hoping this particular variety will be back for a second season in my gardens.