This perennial's blooms sprout out amongst bright evergreen foliage. Hardy through most of the UK down to -10°C.
These bold, fragrant, blooms draw the eye, standing out for both their colour and nutmeg-and-vanilla scent. The dianthus' sap can be an irritant, so it's a good idea to wear gloves when handling, but it's worth it for the stunning splash of colour it brings to your garden! Pick a bright spot with well-draining, non-acidic soil and watch these bright blooms flourish.
Perennial
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Flower: bushy foliage growth
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Flowers spring to summer, foliage year-round
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Scientific Name
Dianthus caryophyllus (two-flowers, clove leaf)
Common Name
Carnation Oscar, Dianthus, Pinks, Pot Carnation, Carnadine
Origin
Native to the Mediterranean, from Spain to Turkey.
Pruning Tips
Deadhead regularly as the flowers fade to promote longer flowering. Trim back slightly after flowering in spring to keep it to a compact size.
Wildlife Value
Provides pollen for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Positioning
Loves full sun and can be in either an exposed or sheltered spot.
Water
These plants like fairly moist, but not soggy, soil. They should only need extra water in dry weather, so keep an eye on them in the next heatwave!
Soil
Soil should be well-draining; this plant does not like to sit in soggy soil. Use neutral or alkaline soil.
Food
Will benefit from some added nutrients when flowering; use feed high in potassium (e.g. tomato feed) to help get beautiful blooms.
Pet-safe
No, this plant is toxic if eaten by pets and humans, and is an irritant in contact with skin.
Sprouts Top Tips
Your Dianthus may go woody on the stem, and start to grow straggly, after a few years; if you want to keep them nice and compact, you can propagate by taking cuttings to plant anew each year. Rabbits love munching on Dianthus, so this might not be the one for your garden if you have rabbit neighbours!
