Dianthusspp.
Acottage garden favorite , Dianthusis a genus of flowering plants in the family unit Caryophyllaceae . Of the 300 metal money , most are native to Europe and Asia , a few are indigenous to north Africa , and one alpine species is aboriginal to the arctic realm of North America .
Many are herbaceousperennials , but there are somehardy annualsand biennials usable , and even a few that are classified as dwarf shrub .
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Photo by Allison Sidhu.
They feature narrow , running leave of absence with a blue - green hue that come out opposite one another on narrow-minded stems .
heyday are typically made up of five flower petal , often with a frilled or zigzag edge , in hues of white or red flavor that drift from pale pink through to deep maroon . They are often two - strengthen .
With a tenacious flush period from tardy spring until early fall , their attractive mounding emergence and pretty blossom are complement by a heady fragrance of savory sweetness that is remindful of cinnamon bark and clove tree .
Photo by Allison Sidhu.
With so much to do it , you ’re likely eager to study how to develop these beauties in the garden . Here ’s what ’s to come :
What You’ll Learn
Let ’s apprehend in !
Cultivation and History
One of the early tame flowers , Dianthusspecies have been revere for C , and were common in Ancient Greek and popish multiplication . They were often featured in ornate frieze beautify building of importance , and were added to celebratory Judy Garland .
The name of this genus is derived from a combination of the Greek wordsdios(god ) andanthos(flower ) , or “ flower of the Supreme Being . ”
How they came to be so name is a bit mirky , but there are a couple of viable narration to consider .
One myth holds that Diana , Grecian goddess of the hunting , blamed a flute - playing sheepherder for scaring away her prey . In a conniption of irritation , she plucked out his eyes , and where they fall , red carnation grew – symbolizing innocent blood .
In Christian mythology , it ’s allege that carnation first bloomed along the Via Dolorosa where Mary ’s tears fell as Jesus carried the interbreeding to Golgotha – another quotation to the symbolism of innocent blood .
Some of the cultivated flush within this popular genus admit :
Pinks and carnation have recollective beena cottage garden pet , and are highly popularfor use in rock garden . Thanks to their outstandinglongevity when cut , and their gorgeous fragrance , they also make an outstandingcut peak for floral arrangement – and carnations are still the peak of option for boutonniere .
With their many tincture ranging from white to pink to Bolshevik , it ’s easy to see whyD. plumariuspicked up the soubriquet “ pinks . ”
As a side note , the verb “ to pink ” was generalize in the 15th one C , and means “ to finish an sharpness with a scalloped , notch , or other ornamental pattern . ” As if they were trim with pinking shears , D. plumarisexhibits fine notch petal , in increase to a rose-colored hue .
How to Grow Dianthus Flowers
Hardiness varies between the species , rangingfrom zone 3 - 9 , but all are easy grown in the home garden .
If you ’re not certain yours will outlive the winter in your sphere , be certain to take some carving or go seedling to overwinter until the next fountain . ( See Propagation notes below . )
clove pink farm to a height of 24 inches , sweet williams have an upright habit of up to 18 inches , and quondam - fashioned pinks form mounds that can reach 6 - 10 inches . Alpine pinksare the modest , forming mats only 4 - 6 inches high-pitched .
The short , mound - forming pinks make a striking accent at the front of borders , rockeries , and windowpane boxes . Taller odorous williams and carnations can be placed further back in garden beds for an attractive 2nd layer of color .
All likea full sunshine locationwhere they receive at least 6 hours of sunshine each day , and need well - drained ground . Adequate atmosphere circulation is also important .
Before planting , leave them witha racy soilthat has 2 - 4 inches of well - waste compost worked in to a deepness of 12 inches , and reapply atop dressing of compostin spring .
Water new plant weekly . They can be fertilized every 4 - 6 week with an all - purpose liquid plant food such as 20 - 10 - 20 during the grow time of year , or apply a slow - release shot - form plant food in the leap .
Pinch or snip off off beat flowers to foreclose seminal fluid shaping and advance additional blooming . At the conclusion of the growing time of year , swerve flower stems back to the reason .
For winter protection , add a 4 - inchlayer of dry mulchafter the first heavy frost , and remove it in spring once new growth begins .
Dianthus Plant Propagation
Dianthus can be propagated fromseeds get down indoors , directly sown into the garden , or grow from stem cuttings .
To plant from seed , begin indoors 2 - 8 weeks prior to the last Robert Frost for your area . Plant in a visible light , loamy territory mix , sprinkling seeds over the top , and then cover with a light layer of grunge .
Cover the container with a cloche or plastic bag to keep the stain moist and quick . Once seedling have 2 - 3 lawful folio , move into their own pots . Transplant outside once they ’re 4 - 5 inches mellow .
To verbatim sow outdoors , plant seeds to a depth of 1/8 column inch once all danger of frost has passed . Keep the soil moist , and once they have 2 - 3 leave-taking , thin to 8 - 12 inches apart .
To bulge out from fore cutting , cut away several non - flowering stem from the parent plant just below a leaf joint .
Trim away the humiliated leaves , leaving 4 - 5 sets of leaves at the top of the base . Dip the Qaeda into internal secretion root pulverization , and batch up around the perimeter of a container filled with a clear potting grease .
piss , then blank space in a moldable old bag , fix the top with a twist tie beam . Set in a sheltered spot in the garden that receives sunrise sunshine , but out of hot good afternoon sun .
Stem cuttings should root in about 4 - 5 week . Remove the soil ball and gently separate the carving , then pot up into single containers .
Overwinter in a sheltered blot that is protect from frost and stop dead temperatures . Plant out in spring once the soil warms up .
Managing Pests and Disease
New cultivar are bred for disease resistance , and are mostly problem - destitute .
They do n’t like sozzled feet or damp , humid condition . Cater to these needs , and they will be well disposed to combat onslaught .
Aphids sometimes feed on the stemsand may be well controlled with a sharpspray of water from a hose , or with ladybugs , whichserve as a lifelike predatory animal .
Carnation fly sometimes lay their nut on the foliage of carnation , burrowing into the leave and creating pale “ tunnels . ”Companion planting with garlicor spray with a garlic tea will reject flies and their larvae .
Rust can be preclude by providing adequate ventilating system . Remove and dispose of any leaves infect with rusty or brownish fall guy on the leaves , or handle with an program of copper oxychloride . Infected plant subject should be thrown in the refuse , not added to the compost pile .
Powdery mildewforms on leave-taking in warm , humid conditions . bring home the bacon right ventilation and destroy any touched plant , or handle with a benomyl fungicide .
Dianthus Species to Select
For long - stemmed carnations , ‘ Cancan Scarlet ’ is a good pick for the garden .
100 D. Caryophyllus ‘ Cancan Scarlet ’ Seeds
Hardy , with a bold fragrance , seeds can bepurchased online at True Leaf Market .
‘ Telstar ’ Dianthus Seeds , in Packages of 100 or 500
True Leaf Market also carriesa choice hybridDianthusseeds , a crossbreed betweenD. chinensis(China pink)andD. barbatus – try on the dwarf ‘ Telstar ’ mixed serial publication for continuous , colorful blooms all summer .
‘ La France ’ Carnation Seeds , available from Eden Brothers
A large variety ofDianthusseeds are also usable from Eden Brothers .
‘ King of Blacks ’ Carnation Seeds , usable from Eden Brothers
try on ‘ La France ’ clove pink ( D. caryophyllus‘Chabaud ’ ) for a classic pink version , or ‘ King of Blacks ’ ( D. caryophyllus‘Grenadin ’ ) for an incredible deep purpleness .
‘ Pink Beauty ’ Sweet William Seeds , usable from Eden Brothers
‘ Pink Beauty ’ sweet williamsare another adorable pick , with clusters of vibrant bubblegum - colored , sweet - smelling efflorescence .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
In the Pink
Colorful , fragrant , and well-to-do to grow , Dianthuscultivars make a delicious addition to the garden or containers .
Give them circumstances of sunlight , good drain , and plenty of fresh air for blooms and scent all summer .
render a mix of pink and dulcet williams for border and rockeries , and bestow some carnations to hack and work indoors for floral placement .
And be sure tocheck out some of our otherDianthusgrowing guidessuch as :
photograph by Lorna Kring and Allison Sidhu © call for the Experts , LLC . ALL right hand RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally release on July 25th , 2018 . Last update March 12th , 2023 . Top pic by Lorna Kring . Product photos via True Leaf Market and Eden Brothers . All other uncredited photos via Shutterstock . With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu .
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