Dianthus or pinks are an old garden favorite. They are called pinks, not because of their color, but because of their jagged petals which look like they have been cut with pinking shears. Spangled star pink is a hardy compact perennial 5- to 7-inches tall that produces clove-scented red flowers with two pale pink spots on each petal in May and June. They are easy to grow in average, alkaline soils in full sun, but require good drainage—plants may die out in the center in soggy soil. Cut them back after blooming, and they may rebloom in late summer or early fall.