14 Beautiful Flowers That Look Like Carnations

Carnations, known scientifically as Dianthus caryophyllus, are a beloved flower known for their ruffled petals and wide range of colors While carnations have a distinctive beauty, there are many other flowers that bear a resemblance to these classic blooms

In this article, we will explore 14 stunning flowers that look strikingly similar to carnations, making them excellent alternatives or companion plants in your garden. Whether complementing carnations with a different hue or substituting them in floral arrangements, these carnation lookalikes will allow you to branch out while maintaining the essence you love.

Dianthus Barbatus (Sweet William)

Sweet William, botanically known as Dianthus barbatus, is a fragrant flowering plant that looks nearly identical to a carnation. It features the same frilled petal appearance and blooms in a variety of bright colors like pink, red, white, or purple. Sweet William is also a perennial, though more cold hardy than traditional carnations. It thrives in zones 3-10 and attracts pollinators like butterflies. For a charming cottage garden, plant Sweet William alongside classic carnations for a fuller floral display.

Dianthus Gratianopolitanus (Cheddar Pinks)

With their grassy blue-green foliage and fringed deep pink flowers, Cheddar Pinks offer the carnation look in a more compact form. These evergreen perennials reach just 4-8 inches tall, making them perfect as edging plants or ground cover. Their strong clove scent is a signature of Dianthus flowers. For rock gardens and borders, Cheddar Pinks provide a neat carnation-like presence. Their pretty blooms also work nicely in floral arrangements.

Dianthus Deltoides (Maiden Pink)

Maiden Pink is another short Dianthus species that resembles carnations. This perennial wildflower has bright green leaves and forms a mat only 2-6 inches high. Its flowers come in shades of pink, red, and white with delicately fringed petals. Maiden Pink blooms through spring and summer, offering months of carnation-esque beauty. It’s also drought tolerant once established, making it an easy-care option.

Dianthus Chinensis (China Pink)

Native to China, these dainty annuals flower in loose open heads with lacy petals. China Pink blooms in many carnation colors like white, pink, red, and purple. The flowers have a spicy fragrance. China Pink thrives in zones 7-9, loving hot and humid summers. For beds, borders, and containers, China Pink provides a lacy, delicate spin on the carnation’s beauty. The two pair nicely for contrast.

Dianthus Superbus (Fringed Pink)

Also called large pink or common fringed pink, Dianthus superbus is a perennial cousin to carnations. It displays the familiar ruffled flowers atop tall stems that rise above grassy foliage. This plant reaches 1-3 feet tall and blooms in late spring through summer in shades of white, pink, or lilac. For an easy-care carnation alternative, Fringed Pink is long-lived and unfussy. Use it to add height and volume to garden beds and borders.

Dianthus Plumarius (Cottage Pink)

With dense mounds of grass-like leaves and abundant flowers in classic carnation colors, Cottage Pinks are a beloved garden flower. They earn their name from frequent inclusion in English cottage gardens. These hardy perennials are self-seeding ensuring year after year of frilly blooms in white pink, red and purple hues. Cottage Pinks pair wonderfully with classic carnations while providing a more spreading habit.

Dianthus Carthusianorum (Carthusian Pink)

Also called clusterhead pink Carthusian pink is a clump-forming perennial that resembles a miniature carnation. It displays dense round flower heads made up of tiny fringed blooms in shades of pink and red. The plant reaches just 6-10 inches tall. Its tidy mounding form works nicely as edging along paths and beds. For small spaces, Carthusian pink provides carnation beauty without taking up much room.

Dianthus Armeria (Deptford Pink)

Deptford pink is a grassy-leafed annual native to Europe. In late spring, it blooms in carnation-like flowers of deep pink with lightly fringed petals. The blooms are smaller than a traditional carnation and feature dark eyes. A low mounding habit around 6-12 inches tall makes Deptford pink suitable as groundcover. It also looks beautiful alongside classic carnations, providing a more compact form and different pink tone.

Dianthus Gratianopolitanus (Clove Pink)

Also called “gillyflowers”, Clove pinks are cottage garden favorites thanks to their spicy fragrance similar to carnations. Their flowers come in white, pink, red or purple with fringed petals. Clove pinks form mats of grassy foliage just 6 inches tall, making them ideal for rock gardens. The charming flowers look right at home in borders and containers too. Pair Clove pinks with taller carnations for contrast and fullness.

Dianthus Seguieri (Seguier’s Pink)

This clump-forming perennial displays clusters of frilly flowers in shades of pink, red and white. With slender blue-green leaves, Seguier’s pink reaches 6-12 inches tall. Its late spring to early summer blooms are smaller than carnations but share a similar fringed appearance and clove-like scent. Seguier’s pink tolerates heat and drought once established. Use it as edging or in mixed containers for a carnation-esque presence.

Lychnis Coronata (Rose Campion)

Rose campion is a hardy perennial that shares qualities with carnations. Its gray-green leaves form a low clump or mound topped with branching stems of flowers. The blooms feature fringed petals in bright pink, magenta, purple and white hues. Rose campion thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and reaches 1-3 feet tall. Its long blooming period provides months of color. Mix with carnations for extra fullness.

Dianthus American Pie Series

Bred by Proven Winners, these modern hybrids showcase extra large, very double flowers just like carnations. American Pie dianthus bloom in a range of colors from white and pink to coral and red. Long blooming and carefree in zones 5-9, they work beautifully as border plants and in containers. Pair different hues with carnations for pops of color and fun, full flowers.

Agrostemma Githago (Corncockle)

Though considered a weed by some, Corncockle’s flowers bear resemblance to carnations. This annual displays vibrant pink to purple blooms atop branching 2-3 feet stems. Each flower has five slim petals surrounding a small center, reminiscent of a simple carnation. Corncockle self-seeds readily. Though it can spread, its cheery flowers inject easy color into gardens and fields. Allow it to mingle with carnations for a naturalistic look.

Silene Armeria (Sweet William Catchfly)

Despite its name, Sweet William Catchfly is not the same as Sweet William mentioned earlier. This pretty annual shows off loose heads of fringed flowers in pink, white or red hues. The blooms sit atop straight stems that can reach 2 feet tall. With airy foliage and a long bloom season, Sweet William Catchfly incorporates carnation charm in a more delicate package. Use it to provide an annual complement to perennial carnations.

Arenaria Montana (Sandwort)

Sandwort offers fine-textured carnation-like flowers on a carpet forming plant. This perennial grows just 4-6 inches tall but spreads steadily to form mats. Its petite white blooms feature 5 deeply cleft petals. Though tiny, Sandwort’s flowers resemble miniature carnations. As a hardy groundcover for full sun with good drainage, Sandwort provides a lush living canvas for carnations to stand out against.

In the diverse Dianthus family there are countless flowers that emulate the beloved carnation in appearance and growing needs. Explore these alternatives to find new garden favorites with familiar floral charm. Mix varieties together or pair them with classic carnations for extra full arrangements. With so many options, you can enjoy carnation cousins all season long in colors and forms to delight the senses.