‘Telstar’ Dianthus Seeds, in Packages of 100 or 500. There are around 300 species in the genus which are separated into two groups: annual bedding Dianthus and perennial Dianthus. This is an extremely beautiful flower. Many dianthus plants feature handsome bluish-grey foliage that is showy in its own right when the plants are not in bloom. With so much to love, you’re probably eager to learn how to grow these beauties in the garden. It is hardy in Zones 3-8. ‘La France’ Carnation Seeds, available from Eden Brothers. ‘Pink Beauty’ sweet williams are another lovely option, with clusters of vibrant bubblegum-colored, sweet-smelling flowers. Dianthus plants like neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH. There are numerous types of dianthus, so there's one for almost any garden situation. It is an unknown variant but both are a low clump forming type that have been in the garden for many years. In garden beds, place dianthus at the front and along borders so you can appreciate their pleasant clove fragrance. Care. The ‘Jolt Pink’ offer excellent drought resistance as well. Dianthus Care. Full sun is important for thriving plants, so choose a location that gets at least six hours of light each day. Carnations grow to a height of 24 inches, sweet williams have an upright habit of up to 18 inches, and old-fashioned pinks form mounds that can reach 6-10 inches. hi there- i just bought-Rocking Red Sweet William& a Jolt Pink Dianthus-do both come back every year-. Here’s how: Mass in a bed along a patio or deck, where the spicy fragrance can be enjoyed up close. Plant out in spring once the soil warms up. Varies depending on species, height, and use. Pinks and carnations have long been a cottage garden favorite, and are highly popular for use in rockeries. As a side note, the verb “to pink” was popularized in the fifteenth century, and means “to finish an edge with a scalloped, notched, or other ornamental pattern.” As if they were trimmed with pinking shears, D. plumaris exhibits delicately notched petals, in addition to a rosy hue. Dianthus flowers bloom prolifically in early spring and summer, but many dianthus will rebloom throughout the gardening season if you cut flowers off as they fade. It’s easy to get confused when shopping for dianthus plants for the garden, as the genus encompasses plants that behave as annuals, perennials, and biennials. Infected plant matter should be thrown in the garbage, not added to the compost pile. Of the 300 species, most are native to Europe and Asia, a few are indigenous to north Africa, and one alpine species is native to the arctic regions of North America. Plants may exhibit a mounded shape, an erect habit, or a trailing habit. They are short-lived, sun-loving perennials and most only stay in the peak of perfection for three years or so before declining. These plants can tolerate a light frost but don't like a deep freeze. Flowers within this popular genus include carnations (D. caryophyllus), garden pinks (D. plumarius), and sweet williams (D. barbatus). They are pretty phung, and easy to care for – 6 hours of sun, average water, and regular fertilizing will do the trick! Photos by Lorna Kring and Allison Sidhu © Ask the Experts, LLC. The name doesn’t derive from the prince, or any other man named William; rather, it is a derivative of the French word that means “little eye.”. Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Firewitch' has fringed, fragrant magenta blooms and grows just 6 inches tall. Dianthus also are ideal for a cutting garden. Keep the soil moist, and once they have 2-3 leaves, thin to 8-12 inches apart. Most form a clumping habit with narrow lance shaped, grey green foliage. ‘King of Blacks’ Carnation Seeds, available from Eden Brothers. Alpine pinks are the smallest, forming mats only 4-6 inches high. Hi Anna – Yes, when the first flush of blooms are finished, trim the spent flower heads and stems back to the top of the mounding foliage. Product photos via True Leaf Market, Eden Brothers, and Hirt’s Gardens. To direct sow outdo… Last updated April 26th, 2020. The mounding shape and long blooming time of dianthus plants make them welcome additions to the container garden. Light. Dianthus is a safe bet for gardens bothered by deer, as it is a deer-resistant plant. Deadhead dianthus after flowering to promote rebloom. Many are herbaceous perennials, but there are some hardy annuals and biennials available, and even a few that are classified as dwarf shrubs. Location. Stem cuttings should root in about 4-5 weeks. Adequate air circulation is also important. If your soil pH is below 7.0, correct the acidity with an application of dolomitic limestone. Remove any covering and move the pots away from protective walls to their positions in … The carnation, dianthus likes sunny, wind-protected locations, which enable it to develop nicely. Remove up to half the plant's height with clean shears to force the plant to … To start from stem cuttings, cut away several non-flowering stems from the parent plant just below a leaf joint. Soil. Deadhead after flowering to promote a second flush of flowers. They do thrive in good soil, however many are tolerant of poorer soils as well. These are a pest free plant and require little maintenance. I shall certainly give them a try. The plant looks lovely but with no buds at all so dividing/cuttings would be the best bet. Many types have flowers with a fragrant, spicy scent and notched petals. Once seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, move into their own pots. See our TOS for more details. Hardy, with a bold fragrance, seeds can be purchased online at True Leaf Market. Perennial Dianthus Plant Profile. Unfortunately, the same doesn’t hold true for rabbits. We have 1,515 images of 1,158 dianthus in our Dianthus database. The flowers can also go dormant in consistently hot summer temperatures, above 85 degrees F. Dianthus plants are light feeders. Powdery mildew forms on leaves in warm, humid conditions. Water new plants weekly. Dianthus Plant. Provide proper ventilation and destroy any affected plants, or treat with a benomyl fungicide. Or, try a 4-inch pot of ‘Coconut Surprise’ – a mid-sized sweet william with white petals and deep burgundy centers, available on Amazon.com from Hirt’s Gardens. Thanks for asking! Fireplace ashes can also increase the soil alkalinity. Try ‘La France’ carnations (D. caryophyllus ‘Chabaud’) for a classic pink version, or ‘King of Blacks’ (D. caryophyllus ‘Grenadin’) for an incredible deep purple. Try one inch of water once a week. To direct sow outdoors, plant seeds to a depth of 1/8 inch once all danger of frost has passed.