Maiden Pinks in Zone 4a & 4b
Dianthus deltoides
Yes, maiden pinks grow in zones 4a and 4b and come back each year. Plant them outside May 1–May 8.
When to plant maiden pinks in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b 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 1–May 8 |
| 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 4b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of maiden pinks in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)May 1–May 8
- AstilbeMay 1–May 8
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)May 1–May 8
- Basket-of-GoldMay 1–May 8
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)May 1–May 8
- CalendulaMay 1–May 8
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 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. 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 4b 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 4b 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 | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | 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 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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