Dianthus carthusianorum

Dianthus carthusianorum hails from the limestone hillsides of Europe. It is named after the 11th century Carthusian monks who supposedly cultivated this plant in their walled gardens in the French Alps. People have clearly long regarded this plant as an ornamental. Even "Gerard's Herball" (1597) mentions this species being grown in London gardens simply for its beauty.

It continues to be well-loved in modern gardens seeing as it's not fussy. A great choice for a meadow or cottage gardens.