"Growing Carnation"

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Growing Carnation and Dianthus

Growing Carnation plants outdoors is easy and they make good garden plants. Outdoor Carnations (as opposed to florist Carnations grown in a glasshouse) are commonly referred to as "pinks" - Dianthus species. Dianthus species vary in height from 2 inches to 3 feet (5-90 cm), but most garden varieties are from 10 to 20 inches (25-50 cm) tall. The flower colors are mostly reds, pinks, and whites. Rock gardens are well-suited for growing your Carnation plants, particularly species native to alpine habitats. They are also excellent for pots, and patio, and window box containers.

Dianthus will grow in full sun to light shade, but need to receive at least 4-5 hours of full sun each day for good flowering. For success you need to be growing Carnation plants in light, fertile, well-drained soil that is slightly alkaline (pH 6.75). It is difficult to grow Carnation plants in clay soils and they may rot away over the winter in wet conditions.

Plant Dianthus species 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. The crown must be level with the surface of the soil and the stems must not be buried. Good air circulation is needed around the stems of growing Carnation plants at all times to avoid disease. For that reason Dianthus plants should not be mulched.

Do not water established plants too much because it may turn the foliage yellow. Once a week is enough unless it is exceptionally dry.

Dianthus flower in the spring or summer, sometimes right up until the first frost. Remove dead flowers promptly and give a light feed every 6 to 8 weeks with an all-purpose (10-10-10) liquid fertilizer to encourage continued blooming.

If you are growing Carnation plants indoors provide a well lit location. Keep the soil moist but not sodden, and pinch out old blooms to encourage futher flowering. Keep in a temperature of 65-70 deg F ( 19-21 deg C).

Propagation

Dianthus may be propagated by seed, tip cuttings, layering or division.

Seed

You can sow seed outside 1/8 inch (0.3cm) deep in light, well-drained soil in spring or early summer. Choose a sunny location to grow Carnation plants. Firm the soil over the seeds with the back of a rake, and keep moist until your seeds have grown and the young plants are well established. These plants will most likely not flower until the following year. Established Dianthus plants often reseed themselves and new plants spring up around the parent.

You can also start Dianthus seeds indoors, 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost is expected, for spring planting and same year flowering. The seeds will germinate in 2 to 3 weeks. If you use bottom heat to speed up germination, the moment they emerge you should transfer the seedlings to cooler conditions.

Cuttings

Stem cuttings can be taken in spring or early summer and planted out in the fall. These plants will flower the following year. It is best to use a one year old plant. Pick out Carnation stems that are a fresh-looking green color with a number of small bumps (swollen nodes) on the stem each still bearing a stiff, non-yellowing leaf. A stem where the leaves are close together (short internodes) roots easier.

Trim to 4-5 inches by cutting off the stem base just below a node, dip the cut end into rooting hormone, and insert each cutting into moist, sandy, sterilized potting soil. Place a tall, clear polythene bag over the top and seal with a twist-tie. Stand your cuttings in indirect sunlight, and they should be rooted in about a month. You will need to remove any dying leaves and occasionally open up the bag to let excess condensation disperse. But do not let the soil dry out.

Layering

Carnations can be propagated by layering non-flowering shoots in July. Using a healthy, sturdy, low-growing stem, remove leaves except at the growing point, and make a small cut to form a tongue on the underside of the stem. This will promote root formation. The stripped area of stem, still attached to your parent plant, is then covered with soil. Push a u-shaped piece of wire into the soil over the stem to pin it down. The growing end of the stem may be held vertical above the soil with a small, short cane. When well rooted after about six weeks cut off from the mother plant and transplant.

Division

Dianthus can also be easily increased by division. This rejuvenates old, poorly flowering plants. Dig up the entire clump, and pull it apart with your hands, or use two gardening forks inserted in the center of the clump back to back. Replant each segment separately and water in well.

Types of Carnation for Growing Outdoors

There are over 300 species of Dianthus, and hundreds more of hybrid varieties. The group includes annuals, biennials and perennials.

Below are some of the better carnation or Dianthus species with a brief description :-

1) Dianthus barbatus is the Sweet William, a biennial plant that sometimes is a short lived perennial. It grows 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and bears fragrant flowers in a wide range of colors. It has been a garden favorite for over 300 years.

The name Sweet William is derived from the word describing the lighter color patch or eye in the middle of the flower. This word is the Latin "ocellus" or French "oeillet" which over time became corrupted to "willy" then to "William". "Sweet" probably comes from the fragrance.

Grow from seed. Either sow directly into the ground or into trays or individual pots and then plant out. Sweet Williams produce many self-sown seedlings in the garden.

2) Dianthus caryophyllus in the wild is the plant from which most modern, perennial garden carnations have been developed. This species is the typical growing carnation in the garden centre.

3) Dianthus chinensis varieties may be sold as perennials but they are not reliably hardy and so are better treated as hardy annuals. Hence the name Annual Pink. It is also called the China Pink. In a warm zone - USDA 6 or 7 - they are winter hardy.

4) Dianthus deltoides or Maiden Pink is a common plant in garden centers because it is easily grown from seed. Good for a rock garden or the front of a border.

5) Dianthus grataniapolitensis is the Cheddar Pink. It grows to 12 inches (30 cm) high and has delightfully fragrant soft pink flowers. Good for hot, dry slopes and rockeries.

6) Dianthus knappii is 24 inches (60 cm) tall and bears soft yellow flowers that last several weeks, hence the common name Yellow Pink. It is not a long lived plant - possibly 3 to 4 years at most.

7) Dianthus plumarius is the typical 'Pink' and is a good plant for a rock garden or front of a border. Also fine as a container plant. They are dwarf carnation plants. Deadhead regularly to encourage further blooming.

8) There are many Dianthus hybrids available, mostly the Carnation types as shown in the pictures. However many are not reliably hardy varieties and it is best to obtain advice for specific types. You can obtain this information by clicking on the images.

Good reliable sources of seeds for English type Carnations are Stokes's 'Double Rainbow Blend', and B and T World Seeds, in France, for heirloom cultivars.

There is more Carnation information available. Please check out the links on the left at the top of the page. Click here for more Carnation Information.

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