Dianthus

The genus name, Dianthus, assigned by Linnaeus in 1737 means divine flower. Currently, Sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus), Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus), and a variety of species known as "pinks" are found in this genus. The various species have hybridized so freely that it is often difficult to assign a plant to a specific species. Many are simply called cultivars or hybrids between species..

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.

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