Maiden Pinks in Zone 3a & 3b
Dianthus deltoides
Yes, maiden pinks grow in zones 3a and 3b and come back each year. Plant them outside May 16–May 23.
When to plant maiden pinks in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated bloom | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Before you plant: Maiden pinks have a winter-hardiness note for zone 3b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of maiden pinks in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)May 16–May 23
- AstilbeMay 16–May 23
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)May 16–May 23
- Basket-of-GoldMay 16–May 23
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)May 16–May 23
- CalendulaMay 16–May 23
Maiden pinks is the hardiest of the three Dianthus species here and the only one that behaves like a groundcover.
How maiden pinks fit zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Maiden pinks take about 1 growing season to reach full flowering, so what matters here is how many of these seasons they get, not whether one is long enough.
Maiden pinks are hardy in zones 3-8, so in zone 3b they stay in the ground through winter and come back rather than being replanted. Allow about 1 ft of spread at maturity.
Maiden Pinks planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 26–May 3 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 11–Apr 18 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 27–Apr 3 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 11–Mar 18 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for maiden pinks.
Where to buy maiden pinks seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries maiden pinks seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing maiden pinks" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Maiden Pinks in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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