Maiden Pinks in Zone 3a & 3b
Dianthus deltoides
When to plant maiden pinks in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Maiden Pinks 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 | May 15 '28–May 22 '28 (First real harvest the season after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Maiden pinks is the hardiest of the three Dianthus species in this dataset and the only one that behaves like a groundcover.
How maiden pinks fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Maiden Pinks takes about 1 growing season to reach full flowering, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Maiden Pinks is hardy in zones 3-8, so in zone 3b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 1 ft of spread at maturity.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Maiden Pinks.
Where to buy maiden pinks seeds
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)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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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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