Dianthus
Dianthus typically have grass-like bluish-green leaves and stems. They form mats with rather floppy stems. Dianthus flower best in full sun although some will tolerate some shade. Some Dianthus species have a strong fragrance while others have lost any fragrance in their genetic background.
The basic soil mixture for these plants would be a fast-draining top soil. They are lime-loving so you should test your soil and add lime if the ph is toward the acid end of the scale. You may use either a soil test kit purchased at your local garden center or contact your local Cooperative Extension office for help.
Dianthus are short-lived but easily propagated from seeds or cuttings. A few produce seeds that produce the true species. With the hybrids, it is difficult to know what will show up. If you want to propagate a specifically cultivar, you must do so through cuttings.
The most difficult part of growing Dianthus species is avoiding crown rot in wet, poorly draining soil. I planted several Dianthus in troughs last year and lost them to a cold, wet winter. However, the Dianthus growing in a raised bed that was mulched with about two inches of rock survived the winter without difficulties. Therefore all future Dianthus will have at least one inch of pea gravel-sized mulch.
Like all plants, Dianthus do have some problems. Slugs seem to like their tender foliage. However, growing these in a rock-mulched raised bed eliminates this problem. Cutworms like to cut the plants down and rabbits love to eat the buds just before they burst into bloom. Although I have had no problem with slugs or cutworms, I have given up growing the carnations because the local rabbits got every bud regardless of what I used to try to deter them. If Dianthus are in too wet of a soil, various fungal diseases may attack them. Keeping them in well drained soil and/or using a rock mulch will help prevent these diseases. A thorough clean-up in the fall eliminates many winter hiding places for pests and diseases.
Dianthus alpinus is an excellent choice for a small rock garden or trough as are Dianthus allwoodii and Dianthus deltoides 'Zing Rose'.
Carnations, Dianthus caryophyllus are excellent border plants. Most sold in flower shops have been grown in greenhouses but they do well outdoors too. They come in a wide variety of colors and even stripes today.
If you would like to view a few of the 300 Dianthus species, visit these sites for photographs and further information:
Cheddar Pink Dianthus armeria
(Deptford Pink) Dianthus Dazzler
Dianthus Desmond Dianthus Spotti
This is just a small sampling of the Dianthus species available to you! If you become strongly interested in this plant genus, please consider joining The American Dianthus Society. This is an excellent way to locate seed of the various species you may want to grow. Until next week, good gardening to you!
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