Deptford Pink
Deptford Pink given a helping hand
We have been undertaking further work to benefit our Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria) population, which grows at only one site in North Wales - Coed y Felin nature reserve in Hendre, Flintshire. Deptford Pink is an early colonizer of habitats so likes bare earth and also tends to favour sunny, calcareous slopes. It can be easily shaded out by later colonizers, scrub and trees, so active management is required to maintain its population at Coed y Felin.
In April this year, staff and volunteers cleared small trees and scrub to limit shading and created bare patches of earth around over-wintering Deptford Pink rosettes so that this summer's seeds will fall on ideal soil for germination.
Simon Farr, Reserves Officer said, "As a result of our management work we have seen our population of Deptford Pink increase ten fold over the past five years, but last year it started to fall as competition from other plants has inevitably increased. The work we have carried out this year, however, will ensure that the population will start growing once again, and we are confident that its future is secure."