Carnations are one of the most popular and widely recognized flowers, with their ruffled petals and wide range of bright colors. While true carnations belong to the Dianthus genus there are many other flowers that resemble carnations in appearance. In this article, we’ll look at 10 flowers that can pass for carnations!

1. China Pinks (Dianthus chinensis)

China pinks, also called rainbow pinks, are close cousins to carnations within the Dianthus family. They have the same serrated petals as carnations and come in white, pink, red, burgundy and bicolor shades. The flowers have a lovely spicy fragrance and attractive blue-green grassy foliage. China pinks grow 8-24 inches tall and do well in borders, rock gardens and containers.

2. Cheddar Pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus)

Cheddar pinks are low-growing evergreen perennials that only reach about 5 inches tall In spring they produce vibrant pink flowers with fringed, carnation-like petals and a sweet, spicy scent As the common name suggests, this dianthus variety originally comes from the Cheddar Gorge area of England. Excellent for rock gardens.

3. Sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus)

Sweet Williams are biennials or short-lived perennials that can resemble small carnations. They produce dense clusters of tiny flowers in shades of red, pink, purple and white. The blooms are beautifully scented and attractive to pollinators. Sweet Williams grow 12-24 inches tall and pair nicely with other old-fashioned cottage garden plants.

4. Maiden Pinks (Dianthus deltoides)

Also called meadow pinks, maiden pinks are mat-forming perennials that make a nice groundcover. The bright green leaves form a low mound from which single, 5-petaled flowers in shades of red, pink or white arise on short stems. Maiden pinks bloom in summer and the flowers have a mild, sweet fragrance. They grow to around 6 inches tall.

5. Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa columbaria)

The pincushion flower gets its name from the round flower heads that resemble colorful pin cushions. The blooms come in pink, lavender, blue and white on top of long stems, much like carnations. As a bonus, pincushion flowers are highly attractive to butterflies. These compact perennials grow 6-18 inches tall.

6. Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria)

Rose campion is a clump-forming perennial that produces fuzzy silver leaves and showy magenta-pink flowers that resemble carnations. The blooms are produced from early to mid-summer and add great color impact to the garden. Rose campion grows 24-36 inches tall and prefers full sun. Hummingbirds love it!

7. Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

Dame’s rocket, also called dame’s violet, is an old-fashioned cottage garden flower that produces sweetly scented phlox-like flowers resembling small carnations. The blooms come in white, pink, purple and bicolor shades on 2-3 feet tall stems. Though beautiful, dame’s rocket is considered invasive in some regions, so check before planting.

8. Catchfly (Silene)

There are many species of catchflies, which are flowering plants in the carnation family. They produce five-petaled flowers in white, pink, red and bicolor shades on tall stems. Many catchflies have sticky stems and leaves that trap insects (hence the name). Excellent for cutting gardens, they grow 1-3 feet tall depending on variety.

9. Drumstick Flower (Craspedia globosa)

The drumstick flower gets its common name from the unique round yellow or red flower heads borne atop long stems. The small flowers packed into each drumstick-shaped head resemble tiny carnations. Drumstick flowers add great texture and interest to flower beds and bouquets. These fun annuals grow 12-18 inches tall.

10. Florist’s Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Last but not least, the classic florist’s carnation seen in bouquets and flower arrangements belongs to the dianthus family. These carnations have been bred extensively to produce large, double flowers in almost any color imaginable. The blooms have a spicy, clove-like scent. Florist’s carnations are not frost hardy, so they are grown as annuals and greenhouse forced to flower out of season.

Summary

While true carnations belong to the Dianthus genus, there are many flowers across a variety of plant families that closely resemble carnations in appearance. From dainty China pinks to tall catchflies, these carnation look-alikes add beautiful colors, fragrances and textures to gardens and floral designs. Next time you see a frilly flower that reminds you of a carnation, take a closer look – it may just be one of these carnation doppelgangers!