D ianthus barbatus

Sweet William

THE IMPACT OF SWEET WILLIAMS comes from their massed STRONG SCENT is a characteristic of Dianthus barbatus varieties
beads of small flowers which often have attractive \picotee edges. and makes this an ideal plant for cutting in bunches in early summer.

F E A T U R E S C O N D IT IO N S
Sweet Williams are varieties of Dianthus Aspect Grow sweet Williams in full sun.
barbatus and have flowers in pink, white, red, Site Needs well-drained soil that has been limed
burgundy and bicolours, on large rounded before planting, and has had plenty of rotted
heads. Individual flowers often have darker compost mixed in several weeks before.
central eyes. Plants have clumping growth up
to 45cm (18in), while dwarf forms grow to just G R O W IN G M E T H O D
15cm (6in). The flowers appear from spring
into early summer and are scented and ideal for Sowing Sow the fine seed in rows outdoors, 1cm (!4in)
cutting. Easily grown from seed as a hardy deep and just cover, in May/June. Transplant
biennial, and useful for bedding schemes and the seedlings so they are in rows 15cm (6in)
as blocks of spring colour in mixed borders. apart and pinch out the growing tips to make
Some less common varieties like Sooty have them bushy. W ater regularly throughout the
dark, almost black flowers. summer months, and then lift and plant in
their flowering positions in October, keeping
the roots intact. For cut flowers only, the
D ia n t h u s at a g lan c e plants can be left growing in rows.
A summer-sown biennial grown for its large heads of scented Feeding Liquid feed monthly during the summer.
flowers in spring and early summer. Frost hardy to 15C (5F). Problems Poor drainage during winter can kill plants. If
J an / R ecom m ended V a rieties leaves are attacked by rust disease try a spray
containing the fungicide penconazole.
Fe b / Dianthus barbatus:
M ar / Tall varieties FLO W E R IN G
A pr flowering $ Auricula-Eyed Mixed
M ay flowers/sow A. -t'V Forerunner Mixed Season Flowers appear from late spring to early
Gemstones summer and it is possible to get a second
J un flowers/sow
Harlequin flush if all the stalks are cut hard back after
J u ly flowering the first flowers have faded.
Monarch Mixed
A ug grow on ^ Cutting An excellent cut flower, and ideal for making
Dwarf varieties
Se p t grow on ^ into a rounded posy.
Dwarf Mixed
O ct plant 'Indian Carpet Mixed A F T E R F L O W E R I N G _________
Nov /
D ec / General Pull plants up when they are past their best, or
leave some to develop into bigger clumps.

T H E C O M P L E T E B O O K OF G A R D E N F L O W E R S 3 7 D I A N T H U S B A R B A T U S
 D ianthus chinensis
Chinese pink

AS CONTAINER PLANTS Chinese pinks are perfect as neat edging plants, all growing to the same height. They are also valuable as colourful fillers
and effectively bridge the gap between taller plants in the centre of large tubs and trailing plants falling over the edges.

F E A T U R ES Site Needs well-drained soil, but dig in plenty of

well-rotted manure or compost when
Growing 20 -3 0 cm (812in) high, varieties of preparing beds. Lime can be added to the soil
Dianthus chinensis are suitable for massed before planting and raked in. Containers must
planting, edging garden beds, or for use in have very good drainage.
troughs or pots. Chinese pink is grown as a
half-hardy annual although it is fully hardy G R OW ING M E T H O D
outdoors. Flower are red, pink or white with
only slight scent. Available as young plants. Sowing Sow seeds in 9cm (3/fln) pots of multipurpose
compost in March, just cover, and keep at
ITI O N S 15C (60F) in a light place. When seedlings
are 2.5cm (lin ) tall, transplant to cell trays
Aspect Needs full sun to flower at its best. and grow on with some protection (a cold-
frame is suitable). Harden off at the end of
May and plant out in beds or containers.
D ia n t h u s at a g lan c e Feeding Do not overwater a good weekly watering
A hardy annual grown for its small brightly coloured pink type should be sufficient, and feed with liquid feed
flowers, used in bedding/pots. Frost hardy to -15C (5F). every 23 weeks. Plants in containers need no
J an / R ecomm ended V a rieties extra feeding if slow-release fertiliser is added.
Problems Overwatering will cause yellowing of the
F eb / Dianthus chinensis: leaves and rotting off at soil/compost level.
M ar sow ^ Baby Doll Mixed
A pr transplant ^ Black & White F L O W E R 1N G
M ay harden oft plain '\ 8 Minstrels
Double Gaiety Mixed Season Plants come into flower from early summer
J u n flowering -fij*
Princess Mixed onwards and will continue until autumn if
J uly flowering A ' Raspberry Parfai t dead flowerheads are removed regularly.
A ug flowering Snowfire Cutting Taller varieties can be used as cut flowers, but
Se p t flowering fij Strawberry Parfait choose a variety known for its scent such as
T&M Frosty Mixed Double Gaiety Mixed.
O ct /
Nov / A F T E R F L O W E R IN G
D ec /
General Remove plants when finished and compost.

D I A N T H U S C H I N E N S I S 3 8 T H E C O M P L E T E B O O K OF G A R D E N F L O W E R S
 D IA N TH U S CARYOPHYLLUS
Wild carnation

FRINGED PINK FLOWERS and silver- UPWARD-ANGLED CANES are one way of making sure that top -heavy blooms do not tumble
grey buds and stems make this a classic. onto a path. The other, more discrete method is to employ a series of small twiggy sticks.

F E A T U R ES C O N D IT IO N S
Carnations are very popular both as cut flowers Aspect Needs full sun all day. Protect from very
and as a garden subject. Flowers are carried strong winds.
singly or in groups on stems 30-50cm Soil Needs very well-drained soil with plenty of
S L "W/

(1220in) high, although florists carnations additional, well-decayed organic matter.

may be taller. Dianthus caryophyllus from the Unless the soil is alkaline, apply a light
EV ER G REEN Mediterranean, a woody perennial with elegant dressing of lime before each planting.
stiff stems, bears richly scented, purple-pink
flowers which grow taller than the average,
reaching 80cm (32in) under perfect GROW ING M E T H O D
conditions. It has given rise to several
excellent series. The Floristan Series comes in a Propagation Grows easily from cuttings taken at almost any
wide colour range, and makes good cut time. Use leafy side shoots and strip off all but
flowers, the Knight Series is shorter and the top leaves. Roots form in 35 weeks. Space
bushier, and includes yellow, white and newly rooted plants 20cm (8in) apart. Water
orange, and the Lilliput Series, shorter still at regularly to establish, then occasionally in dry
20cm (8in), includes a rich scarlet. weather. Carnations tolerate dry conditions
well.
Feeding Little fertiliser is needed if the soil contains
plenty of organic matter, but you may give a
D ia n t h u s at a g lan c e complete feed twice in spring and again in
D. caryophyllus is a colourful woody perennial, part of the large mid-summer.
dianthus family of over 300 species. Hardy to -15C (5"F). Problems Carnation rust, a fungal disease, is common in
warm, humid conditions. Greyish spots appear
J an / Companion P lants on leaves or stems, and the foliage may curl
: Feb / Campanula and yellow. Take prompt action by
M ar sow ^ Cistus immediately spraying with a fungicide. Squash
A pr / jj Crepis
caterpillars when seen.
M ay transplant ^ Eryngium
* JU N flowering $ Helianthemum F L O W E R IN G
I J uly flowering $ Portulaca
A ug flowering I lJJ i: Sedum Season The crop of flowers appears in summer, but it
I Tulip can be forced for other times. Remove any
: Se p t /
excess buds to produce good-sized, main
j Oct / blooms.
Nov / Cutting An excellent cut flower. Recut stems between
D ec sow ^ nodes (joints) to aid water uptake.

D I A N T H U S C A R Y O P H Y L L U S 1 4 0 T H E C O M P L E T E B O O K OF G A R D E N F L O W E R S
 D lA N T H U S C U LTIVA R S
Vinks

DlANTHUS CULTIVARS make reliable, popular edging plants ONE OF THE BEST pinks for the garden, or as a cut flower, Doris
with bright colours and, in many cases, a rich, pervasive scent. is vigorous, long flowering and sweetly scented. A must.

F E A T U R E S additional decayed organic matter, well ahead

Pinks are crosses of D. caryophyllus (wild
carnation) and D. plumarius (cottage pink).
Allwood Brothers nursery in W est Sussex has
1>V,
of planting. Use a soil-testing kit to determine
whether your soil is acid if so, add quantities
of lime according to the manufacturers
instructions. Beware of exceeding the

bred an enormous range of cultivars that are recommended rate, it will simply do more
free flowering given the right conditions. The harm than good.
EV ER G REEN grey-green foliage grows in a tufted mat and
flowering stems are 1030cm (412in) high.
Most flowers are heavily scented and may be G R O W IN G M E T H O D
single or bicoloured, some with a clear margin
of contrasting colour. Most are white, pink, Propagation Grows easily from cuttings taken in late
red, deep crimson or salmon, with cultivars summer and autumn. Start fresh plants every
ideally suited for the rock garden. three or four years to keep vigorous compact
growth. Space the plant approximately
1530cm (612in) apart, depending on
C O N D IT IO N S variety. Water until the plants are well
established.
Aspect Needs full sun all day, and protection from Feeding Apply complete plant food in early spring, as
strong winds. active spring growth begins.
Site Needs very free-draining soil, enriched with Problems Aphids and slugs are the two major problems.
The former can be tackled by a regular
spraying programme with, for example,
DlANTHUS AT A GLANCE malathion. The latter can be spotted late at
The cultivars include perennials in a wide colour range, many night or early in the morning. Either treat
richly scented. Generally hardy to 15C (5F). chemically, or pick off by hand and drown.
J an / R ecom m ended V a rieties
F eb / Dianthus alpinus FLO W E R IN G
M ar sow ^ Bovey Belle
A pr transplant ^ Devon Glow Season Some pinks flower during spring only, others
M ay transplant ^ D. deltoides have a long flowering period from spring to
early autumn.
J un flowering 'La Bourboule'
Cutting Pinks make excellent cut flowers, providing
J uly flowering Monica Wyatt indoor decoration and scent.
A ug flowering Sam Barlow
Whitehall
Se p t /
'Widecombe Fair A F T E R F L O W E R IN G
O ct sow ^
Nov / Requirements Cut off any spent flower stems to the ground
D ec / as they fade. No other pruning action is
necessary.

T H E C O M P L E T E B O O K OF G A R D E N F L O W E R S 1 4 1 D l A N T H U S C U L T I V A R S