Chinese carnation - double-flowered

Dianthus chinensis

Originates from Europe and Asia, where it grows on rocks and stony slopes. The leaves are linear, undivided, and silvery. The flowers are single, white, or pink. It blooms from June to September depending on the species.

There is an incredible variety of carnations. Some decorate flower beds as perennials. Others, with their low growth, are best suited for rock gardens. Still others are tender annuals or hardy biennials.

Among perennials are garden carnations, which grow 60-90 cm tall. Large flowers appear from July to August. Species include D. caryophyllus and D. plumarius.

Rock garden pinks grow in cushion-like forms. Their height ranges from 15 to 40 cm. Rock garden species of pinks include D. allwoodii, D. deltoides, and D. arenarius.

The most famous biennial is D. barbatus (Sweet William). It reaches a height of 40 cm. The flowers come in many shades of pink, red, purple, and white. They bloom from May to July and are grown primarily for cutting.

Annual pinks are either low-growing (15-20 cm) or tall varieties (30-40 cm). Tall varieties are also excellent for cutting. The flowers can be single-colored or multicolored in shades of white, pink, and red. Annual species include D. chinensis and D. caryophyllus.

Today, carnations are used in various types of flower arrangements. They can be used to create wedding bouquets and look stunning as interior arrangements. Their advantage is that they last a long time, don't wilt, and don't shed petals. Low-growing pinks are particularly suitable for window boxes, but also as edging or borders for flower beds. Smaller pinks work excellently both in standalone plantings and in mixed containers with lobelia, low-growing marigolds, or larkspur.

How to Grow Pinks and Carnations

• They require sunny to partially shaded positions. They don't need frequent watering, but soil or substrate shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely. In June, attach at least 70 cm long wire stakes to mature plants to prevent stems from bending under the weight of flowers. It's advisable to cover perennials with conifer branches for winter. Dispose of annuals after flowering and collect seeds for the next season.

• Annual species should be sown under glass or in a cold frame from February to March. Plant them in beds only at the end of May.

  D. barbatus seeds should be sown from May directly in their permanent location.

• Well-loosened, permeable, and sandy soil is suitable. Plants also benefit from soil well-supplied with lime and nutrients. Only the maiden pink doesn't like calcareous soil.

• Before planting, add well-rotted compost to the soil in early spring. Apply complete liquid NPK fertilizer regularly, ideally once every 14 days. Once the plant begins to flower, apply fertilizer with higher potassium content to strengthen the stems.

• In high humidity, plants are susceptible to powdery mildew and gray mold. Treat them both curatively and preventively with appropriate fungicides.