Dianthus flowers are typically described as having the following characteristics.Dianthus flowers can be many colors, including pink, purple, white, red, yellow, salmon, rose, scarlet, and crimson. Some species, like D. knappii, have yellow flowers with a purple center. Dianthus flowers have five petals, and often have a frilled or pinked margin. The petals are edible if the plant is grown organically, and are sometimes crystallized and used to decorate cakes. Some species of Dianthus, especially the perennial pinks, have a strong spicy fragrance.