PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.

Photo : Walters Gardens , Inc

A welcome mint in the garden get leaping , dianthus plantsare low care with hot clove - scented flowers that offer bungalow - style entreaty .

Here are a few more reasons to grow dianthus in your garden :

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On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Pictures|Choose the Right Dianthus|Landscaping crest

On this page :

DIANTHUS BASICS

Zones:

3 - 9 , differs by diverseness

Native region:

aboriginal to Europe and Asia .

Types:

If you ’re enquire whether dianthus are annual or perennial , the genus Dianthus has species that are both annual and repeated - and also two-year . Here are some of the coarse epithet you may have hear associated with the genus .

Height/Spread:

depend on the variety , height can make anywhere from 4 to 36 inch tall . How much is spreads also depends on the motley , ranging anywhere from 4 to 24 inches wide .

Exposure:

Bloom best with at least six hours of full sun , but can tolerate fond shade .

Bloom time:

Spring to early summer ; some rebloom intermittently or incessantly through summer and fall .

Color and characteristics:

Flowers are single , semi - treble or twofold with frilly petals . They do in almost every vividness with the exclusion of dark , as well as patterned bicolors . Foliage is strappy and grass - like , occurring in tincture of green , blue - greenish or atomic number 47 - green .

Toxicity:

Dianthus foliage can cause small tegument pique in some individuals , the effect usually lasting just a few transactions . The plant life can be mildly toxic to ducky if ingested .

Deer resistance:

Dianthus are rarely bother by cervid .

HOW TO PLANT DIANTHUS

When to plant:

Planting multiplication depend on the case you ’re imbed .

Where to plant:

Choose a site with rich , well - draining soil in full to part Lord’s Day . Plants will blossom well in full sun ; too much shade can leave in fewer prime and crown decomposition .

How to plant:

Here ’s a basic planting overview .

DIANTHUS CARE

Deadheading:

Deadhead ( cut off spend blooms ) . Removing spent blossom encourages Modern flowers .

See more on deadheading and shearing back dianthus at 1:10 .

Dividing:

Older works may break dead spots in the center of the foliation , which mean it ’s fourth dimension to separate . baseball swing clumps into several pieces , removing the dead leafage , and transplantation air division to novel spots . ( Learn more onhow & when to divide perennial . )

Soil:

Carnations , sweet William , and cottage pink do well in rich , well - draining dirt that ’s kept moist but not soggy . Alpine eccentric , such as cheddar pinks , choose a more or less alkaline , arenaceous grime with sharp drainage .

Amendments & fertilizer:

Here are several guidepost for making sure your dianthus get the nutrients they need .

Watering:

Water once a calendar week in summertime , or more often in hot weather condition if needed . invalidate overwatering , which can cause rot . Overhead watering may cause leafage mildew .

Staking:

Carnation types with long stems may need staking to keep them from falling over .

Diseases and pests:

In addition to being easy to care for , genus Dianthus are free of most cuss and disease when sound and planted in the ideal internet site . Just like any industrial plant , though , there are potential problems that can occur .

DIANTHUS VARIETIES

Photo by : Proven Winners .

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Zones:4 - 9Habit : Dwarf stature with mounding habitHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inch marvelous , 12 to 14 inches wideExposure : Full to partial sunBloom Time : Early summertime , with rebloom in fall

Dianthus Flowers, Dianthus Plant
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

The diminutive size make this heating plant - large-minded salmagundi ideal for small spaces .

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Dianthus Flowers, Dianthus Plant
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

Zones:4 - 9Habit : Mounding compact habitHeight / Spread:8 to 10 inch marvellous , 12 to 14 inches wideExposure : Full to fond sunBloom Time : Early summertime , with rebloom in fall

Fragrant double flowers contrast nicely against a background of dingy - green leaf , which provides continuous color after efflorescence are finish blossom . Tolerant of heat and humidity .

See the entireFruit Punch ® series .

Dianthus Flowers, Dianthus Plant
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

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Zones:4 - 9Habit : Mounding heavyset habitHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches marvellous , 8 to 12 column inch wideExposure : Full to partial sunBloom meter : Early summer , with rebloom in fall

Semi - double frilly flowers sum gratifying fragrance and lustrous color to containers androck gardens , or along pathways and boundary line .

Dianthus Flowers, Dianthus Plant
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

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Zones:4 - 9Habit : mound heavyset habitHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches tall , 12 to 14 in wideExposure : Full to fond sunBloom Time : Spring to Summer

respect for increase warmth tolerance and hopeful colors , this selection is perfect for sunny pathway and boundary line . Considered an improved miscellanea over ' Firewitch ' with good flower coverage and improved energy .

‘ Firewitch ’ ( syn . ‘ Feuerhexe ’ ) , Cheddar PinkD. gratianopolitanus

Zones:3 - 9Habit : Compact height with matt - work habitHeight / Spread:6 to 9 inches marvelous , 12 to 15 inches wideExposure : Full sunBloom Time : Mid - recent spring , with intermittent rebloom through summertime

know for its exceptionally long blossom metre , drouth margin , and neat mat - forming habit .

photograph : Steffen Hauser / botanikfoto / Alamy Stock Photo

‘ Bath ’s Pink ’ , Cheddar PinkD. gratianopolitanus

Zones:3 - 9Habit : Mat - forming habitHeight / Spread:9 to 12 column inch tall , 6 to 12 inches wideExposure : Full sunBloom metre : belated fountain , with intermittent rebloom in summertime

Tolerant of passion , humidness and drought , this elusive variety is good for edging and as a rock garden specimen . The deep fringed , star - shaped flower are cheerily fragrant .

Photo : Eric Hunt / Millette Photomedia

‘ Itsaul White ’ , Cottage PinkD. plumarius

Zones:3 - 9Habit : Upright habitHeight / Spread:12 inches marvelous , 12 to 18 column inch wideExposure : previous spring to early summertime , with rebloom in summerBloom clock time : Late spring to mid - summer

Pure - white-hot bloom complement the silver evergreen foliage . fresh vanilla extract - scented blooms on arc 12 - inch stems make estimable cut flowers .

exposure : Eag1eEyes / Shutterstock

Sweet WilliamD. barbatus

Zones:3 - 9Habit : Upright statureHeight / Spread:12 to 24 column inch grandiloquent , 12 in wideExposure : Full to fond sunBloom Time : Late springtime through frostColors : ruddy , pink , purple , white or bicolored flowers ; green foliage

This shortly - lived perennial is most often grown as an one-year or biennial . Keep plant life deadheaded for continuous bloom .

Photo : Sylvain Marineau / Millette Photomedia

China Pink ( syn . Rainbow Pink)D. chinensis

Zones:6 - 9Habit : Upright or shaggy habitHeight / Spread:6 to 30 inch tall , 6 to 10 inches wideExposure : Full to partial sunBloom fourth dimension : later bounce to early summertime , with rebloom in summerColors : reddish , pink , white or bicolored flowers ; fleeceable leaf

Similar to sweet William , China pink is a short - lived perennial most often grow as a cool - season yearly .

Photo : Paul S Drobot / Millette Photomedia

‘ Green Ball’D. barbatus

Zones:8 - 9Habit : Mounding habitHeight / Spread:10 to 14 inches tall , 8 to 12 inch wideExposure : Full sun to fond shadeBloom Time : Late spring to summer

This novelty variety has hazy 3 - in ball - shaped heyday on strong , upright stanch . Treat as an yearbook in most climate and half - intrepid perennial in strong region .

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DIANTHUS

With so many choices , here are some agent to look at .

For bedding displays and borders:

butt on the front of a border with low - acquire recurrent multifariousness . Sprinkle annual or biennial seeds to fill in gaps between found perennials .

For containers, rock gardens, and small yards:

Dwarf and matt - forming type will stay modest and not overwhelm a space . Combine in containers , rock garden , or bed with other small yearly or perennials that flourish in the same growing condition .

For cutting gardens and large-scale landscapes:

select Sweet William or clove pink varieties that will raise tall and found them in rows or masses for the greatest visual impact . The baronial stems and foresightful blooming time make these suitable for flowered arrangements .

For areas of the garden that you want to keep low maintenance:

Be sure to choose a recurrent so they come back every yr . Good choice includeD. gratianopolitanus , D. plumarius , D. barbatus , andD. chinensis .

DIANTHUS LANDSCAPING TIPS

With so many pick , here are some tips to regard .

There are many way to incorporate this beloved heirloom into any landscape . Here ’s how :