skip to main content

Carolina Gardening

Dianthus Questions

16 years ago

Do any of the other Dianthus species form perennial clumps other than the little Cottage pinks in this region?

I grew a bunch of different types from seed. Dianthus barbatus and D. chinesis and hybrids of each. This will be their second year and most are getting mighty perky and forming buds. I'm thrilled to finally see the blooms but I'm wondering how much effort to put in their watering if they aren't gonna form truly perennial clusters. Dianthus barbatus is the regular Sweet William (I even got a few variegated seedlings!). Dianthus chinesis is the one you usually see offered in the winter with the extra large flat flowers most often in shades of pink with dark red centers. The others that I grew are hybrids between D. chinesis and whatever the species is on the little Cottage Pinks.

I was growing them to sell at the farmers market but I've closed up shop due to the drought. After the 15th outdoor watering will be banned and I will have to haul water to the millions of seedlings I have. I plan on keeping some of them but I was wondering if they really come back each year like the seed packet said.

I know that PDN sells (or used to sell) D. barbatus 'Heart Attack' which is just a very dark bloody red form of Sweet William. I never bought one so I have no idea if they bloom much after the second year or if they are like Lobelia and some of the Penstemons where you have to actively manage the clump to keep them blooming year after year.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

tamelask
16 years ago
i've had both sweet williams and the annual bedding type stick around for a few years running. i have a barbatus cultivar i trasplanted from PA- this is at least its 3rd year (who knows how old up there) and 'sooty' is in its 2nd year. i don't haave any more of the bedding types right now, but have had them go to 3 years before. it seems to be highly variable, though- hard to count on it-it's rather like snapdragons in that you lose a few more each year. since most dianthus don't need tons of water, it may be worth plopping a few into your ground and see what they do. if they die, oh well, but they're gonna in the compost heap, so why not? i don't think they'd hold potted for a long while.

other than those annual ones, most of them form perennial clumps. i have a bunch of different perennial types growing- d. deltoides, armurensis, carthusianum, grationapolis, knapii, and some others i can't think of or don't know the latin for off the top. i really like dianthus, if you couldn't guess. :)
joydveenc7
16 years ago
I bought a 4 inch pot of heart attack from PDN 3 years ago - my patch is >3 feet in diameter and foliage is healthy all year. I have had firewitch for about 10 years - it even handles partial shade pretty well.
Related Discussions
dianthus!
Q
Comments (3)
You might try a gravel mulch around your dianthus. This will help with the drainage issues. Another trick is to plant them near rocks or even concrete. They seem to like the extra heat. A third possibility is to build yourself a little plateau in your regular bed from 3 or more rocks (of a size that 1 person can handle easily) in a triangle. Fill the center with loose soil and plant dianthus in it. These methods all help me to grow dianthus in (or on top of) wet clay in zone 5. The only dianthus that seem to actually like my soil are the cheddar pinks (gratianopolitanus). Firewitch does wonderfully well for me. I think that the long tap root can handle the clay and wet quite easily. The Zing varieties of deltoides dianthus also work okay for me, but need to be replaced every 3 years or so. Sorry, but I can't answer any questions about starting from seed. I usually buy small plants in the 2-3 inch pots from a local nursery.
...See More
Dianthus advice? Columbine blooming?
Q
Comments (8)
plants should receive at least 4 to 5 hours of sun a soil PH of 6.75 is ideal they need a well draining soil and do not over water and try to keep the foliage as dry as possible plants should be planted so the crown of the plant is at soil level and do not mulch they do not like it it will keep the plants to wet.they like good air circulation at all times a 10-10-10 fertalizer is good some of my favorite but hard to find are the following Dianthus barbatus (sweet williams) Dianthus gratanopoliams Firewicth a good hot pink Dianthus Allspice 17 century plant raspberry red w.a white margin grows to 10" Dianthus Dainty dame is smaller w/white flowers a compct plant Dianthus Lady granville (1840's) highly scented white petals laced w.red great plants Dianthus Sinkins (1860's) an old fashion plant w/double pure white flowers and extremely fragrant a must have there are of course more common one that are just as good for the garden. Blueangel
...See More
Wave Petunias-Do they really stand the heat?
Q
Comments (10)
There was a dianthus question posed in the Garden Letters section of the August 2005 Southern Living edition. The response was that "Bewitched", "Bath's Pink" and "Firewitch" tolerate high heat and humidity. "Firewitch" has blue foliage, a "very long flowering season" and bright magenta flowers "on an outstanding plant". When I gardened in Ohio I grew "Bath's Pink". It had a beautiful clove scent so I'm especially partial to it. I also can vouch for the Laura Bush Petunia. I grow it here in Florida. It blooms summer, fall, winter and spring for me. No deadheading necessary. Wonderful scent which wafts into the house when windows and doors are open. Flower color is magenta. It also self seeds. June
...See More
Dianthus 'Pixie' question
Q
Comments (1)
Don't mulch it. Use regular soil to "prop" it up. I moved some of mine about 2 weeks ago because it was growing into an area I didn't want it to. It will look sad for awhile, but it will be alright. It grows slowly also, but looks beautiful after a couple years.
...See More
shari1332
16 years ago
I don't have an id on my green leaved perennial dianthus. The flowers are the same size as sweet william but not clustered and kind of a dark magenta color. It's about 8" high at the most and will make a large mat in just a few years. My mom has had it for very many years. I took some to one or both of last years swaps. It didn't make a very pretty potted plant- I think it's a good alternative to creeping phlox.
alicia7b
16 years ago
I have an unnamed dianthus too that I got from Lowe's several years ago -- that thing has survived everything, from drought to flooding.

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Define Your Garden Softly With Planted Borders

Why make things hard for your garden's edges? Embrace a softer side by trading brick and concrete for shrubs, grasses and ground covers

GARDENING GUIDES How to Get Your Prairie On

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Have a field day with your landscape, even if you've got just a few modern containers on a paved path

MOST POPULAR 20 Ways to Work White Magic in Your Yard

By Paintbox Garden

Create enchanting outdoor spots with fresh white fences, florals and furniture

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Incorporate Your Roofing Into the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Choose hardscape and plantings that work with your roof’s color, texture, shape and line

GARDENING GUIDES Top 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama

Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes

PLANTING IDEAS These Aren’t Your Grandparents’ Junipers

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Dislike junipers? Maybe it’s time to discover new varieties and new uses for this garden workhorse

EARTH DAY Create a Container Wildlife Habitat for Hummingbirds and Butterflies

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Don’t let limited space prevent you from welcoming wildlife into your garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Make Your Painted or Stained House Feel at Home in the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Use color and texture to create a pleasing connection between your house and garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Make Your Stone House Feel at Home in the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

The right gate, walkway, garden furniture and, of course, plantings can help make the connection

Sponsored

More Discussions

seeking to rent a big garden plot near Raleigh NC

0

Does anybody happen to know where they sell or grow Eisenia Andrei?

1