Dianthus (White Pink) - Plant
Description for Dianthus (White Pink)
Dianthus are garden classics, appearing in many shapes and colours, most with blue/green or blue frosted quill-like foliage. Long blooming, perfect for small bouquets-most are fragrant.
A cottage garden is not complete without several Dianthus. All are heat tolerant and low maintenance beauties.
The dianthus plant is also called Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) and has a fragrance with cinnamon or clove notes.
The plants are small and usually between 6 and 18 inches tall. Dianthus flowers are most often in pink, salmon, red and white hues. The foliage is slender and sparsely spread on thick stems.The Dianthus genus includes annuals, biennials and perennials
that are commonly known as Carnations, Pinks or Sweet Williams. Most garden varieties of Dianthus plants grow from 10 to 20 inches tall, however some species can vary from 2 inches to 3 feet tall in height.
| Common name | Flower colours | Bloom time | Height | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dianthus,Cheddar pinks, Clove pinks, Gilly flower pinks, wild Clove Pink,carnation,Dianthus caryophyllus,Dianthus plumarius ,sweet william ,Dianthus barbatus. | It comes in various colors like:-white,bright white,red,pink,rani,red-white,pink-redwhite-pink. | Flower blooming time April to November | 1 to 4 ft | Moderately easy |
Planting and care
- Plant pinks in full sun, partial shade or anywhere they will receive at least 6 hours of sun.
- The plants need fertile, well-drained soil that is alkaline.
- Wait until the danger of frost has passed when planting dianthus and place them at the same level they were growing in the pots, with 12 to 18 inches between the plants.
- Do not mulch around them.
- Water them only at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent mildew spotting.
| Sunlight | Soil | Water | Temperature | Fertilizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dianthus plants may grow in partial shade or full sun, and are drought tolerant when established. | Loamy soil/Soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0 | Keep soil moist throughout the growing season. | 60 to 70 degrees C | Use any organic fertilizer |
Caring for Dianthus
- Dianthus is generally not susceptible to serious diseases, but may become infected with aphids or other insects.
- Inspect once per month for aphids and other pests.
- Treat with insecticidal soaps or through biological controls, such as beneficial predatory insects.
- Feed dianthus every other month with all-purpose liquid fertilizer.
- Do not water during rainy or wet seasons as the roots will need to dry between watering.
- Plant out in May, 4-6 plants/sq.metrer in sunny, half shade spot.
Typical uses of Dianthus
Special features:
Culinary use: Dianthus is also often used in cooking. (When using this herb for cooking make sure to remove the petal base – it is quite bitter!)
Fresh dianthus petals can be used to liven up salads, sandwiches and pies.
The petals of the flowers, when crystallized, make beautiful decorations for cakes and pastries.
Ornamental use: Can be used as an ornamental plant in landscapes and gardens.
References
- http://flowers.about.com/od/Perennial-Flowers/p/The-Perennial-Dianthus-Flower.htm
- http://homeguides.sfgate.com/caring-mounding-dianthus-30815.html
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