Belongs to: pink family

Deptford pink Dianthus armeria

rare in essex


Best time to see: late Jun to mid Aug

Key facts

A characteristic coastal plant with red-pink flowers and dark green leaves

Now rare in Essex but can be still be found at Belton Hills, a steep hillside overlooking the Thames at Leigh-on-Sea

Given its name by 17th century botanist Thomas Johnson, but it is arguable whether it ever grew in Deptford


© Chris Gibson