Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a herbaceous ornamental perennial known for its fragrant, distinctive flowers. Wild varieties of this species can be found in the Mediterranean. Carnation has rich symbolism, both in the traditional and religious sense. Its symbolic representations can be found in numerous cultures, from North America to the far East.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Dianthus caryophyllus, commonly known as carnation or clove pink, is a species of Dianthus native to the Mediterranean region. Its exact natural range is uncertain due to extensive cultivation over the last 2,000 years. Carnations are prized for their vibrant colors, delicate fringed petals, and enchanting fragrance.
Dianthus caryophyllus is a herbaceous perennial plant growing up to 80 cm (31+1⁄2 in) tall. The leaves are glaucous greyish green to blue-green, slender, up to 15 cm (6 in) long. The flowers are produced singly or up to five together in a cyme; they are around 3–5 cm (1+1⁄4–2 in) diameter, and sweetly scented; the original natural flower color is bright pinkish-purple, but cultivars of other colors, including red, pink, yellow, white, and green have been developed. While sometimes dyed blue for cut bouquets, there are no known carnation cultivars that produce a true blue flower. The fragrant, hermaphrodite flowers have a radial symmetry. The four to six surrounding the calyx, egg-shaped, sting-pointed scales leaves are only ¼ as long as the calyx tube.
The scent of carnations is often described as spicy, clove-like, or reminiscent of a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg, hence the common name “clove pink.” This delightful aroma has made carnations a popular choice for use in perfumes, Potpourri, and scented products.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
One thing that is so great about the Dianthus plants is that all of them prefer full sun for at least six hours a day.
Whether you grow your Dianthus bloom as an annual or perennial outside or inside, they need the sun to bloom.
You can provide your new plants with bright light and partial shade in the afternoon for indoor placement. Yet, while your carnations can tolerate partial shade, you will find they might have fewer flowers.
Temperature and Humidity
Carnations like a warm environment, but will wilt in extreme heat. They do best in low humidity. However, an occasional light spritz of cool water during very hot weather may help cool them down a bit.
Watering
Planting Dianthus flowers is a low-maintenance plant. New plants need to water daily at first, and depending on the soil type and climate, you can adjust watering to every three days.
Suppose your gillyflower is growing in clay ground it will retain moisture longer and needs less watering. Also, provide water to your plant at the root area and not the entire plant.
Preferably, when you grow Dianthus, do not waterlog your plant and water when you feel the top two inches of the ground dry to prevent root rot.
Soil
Carnations require excellent drainage and alkaline soil, which is also referred to as “sweet” soil. Alkaline soil tends to have slightly higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and sodium. If your soil tends to be acidic, adding a bit of lime when planting carnations will get them off to a good start.
Fertilizing
Dianthus plants do not need much feeding and are light feeders. You can provide them with a liquid fertilizer every six weeks during the growing season as potted plants.
Grown outdoors, you can work in a shovelful of organic compost once a year to keep them nourished. Alternatively, you can also use a slow-release feed in spring.
Pruning
To help increase repeat blooming, keeping your carnation tidy and proper pruning helps. In addition, you can deadhead the spent flowers, especially on varieties that provide repeat blooms.
During the year, you can remove diseased or damaged leaves and stems. Then, when fall arrives, you can prune your plants back with about two inches of stem remaining above the ground outdoors.
By snipping off the dead flower, it helps prevent seed formation. It also helps encourage additional blooming.
Propagation
The good news is you can propagate your Dianthus spp from seeds, cuttings to division.
Grow Perennial Dianthus from Seeds
To cultivate the seeds, you need well-draining loamy soil done up to eight weeks before the last frost in the region. Then, for indoor planting, sprinkle the seed over the top and cover it with a layer of potting soil.
Next, cover the pot with a plastic bag and keep it in a warm place while keeping the ground moist. Once you notice two to three leaves, you can move your plants into their container but only do this when they are about five inches high.
You can also sow the seed directly outdoors at a depth of 1/8 inch after the frost passes. As with your indoor plants, you need to keep the soil moist, and once they reach five inches high, you can thin them out, placing them 12 inches apart.
Perennial Dianthus From Cuttings
- Take a cutting from the mother plant that bloomed in June or July after flowering for an entire season. The cutting can be about three inches in length.
- Take a small pot with some vermiculite combined with moist potting soil.
- Dip the end of the cutting optional in a rooting hormone and plant in the ground with one node beneath the soil.
- Place the cutting in a sunny location and keep the ground moist.
- Once you spot new leaves growing that should take a month, you can transplant your carnation and care for it.
Division
Yes, you can even revive your old carnations by dividing the segments to create multiple flowers. To do this, you need to dig up the clump and pull them apart using your hand.
Yes, get all dirty and replant them like you would your annual or perennial greenery. You can do this every three years to keep them healthy.
Potting and Repotting
Potted carnations can be soft and pretty on a patio. Choose pots of any material with drainage holes. Make sure the pot is large enough—an 8-inch pot will be perfect, or select one that is one size up from the plant’s current pot. Remove from the old container carnations that are root bound or need rejuvenating. Knock off the old dirt from the roots and check for any rotted roots you can snip off with a sanitized cutting tool. Repot the carnation into the container filled with good quality potting mix and water well but do not oversaturate or make the soil soggy.
Overwintering
Carnations are cold hardy and can easily survive tough winters. To ensure survival, cut the plants down to a few inches from the ground before winter hits.
How to Get to Bloom
To enjoy a proliferation of ruffle-edged carnation blooms, it’s best to plant them in a spot where they will receive at least six hours of sun a day. Carnations prefer well-draining soil to bloom or they may flower, but they will look discolored.
Sometimes carnation buds are tight or not fully open. These two methods are easiest for cut carnations or carnations in a container. To open a resistant bloom, try brushing open the bud with the flower head of an older carnation, which provides just the right soft touch to motivate the resistant bloom to open. Brush from the center of the flower to its outer edges to help it “bloom.” If the bud is closed but looks like it wants to open, gently squeeze the base of the bud to help loosen up any tightness, which can help give it a little push to bloom.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Carnations are vulnerable to pests, including aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Insecticidal soap can control aphids and spider mites. Cutworms are a bit more complicated to eradicate, but you can try manually removing them or protecting your plants with collars.
Carnations are susceptible to fungal diseases, such as leaf spot, rust, and botrytis flower rot. The plant may also be the target of bacterial wilt (symptoms include oozing) and vascular wilt (discoloration).
Common Problems
Dianthus are fairly easy to grow and care for. But along the way you may spot some problems, including the following:
Brown Blooms and/or Leaves
If parts of the flower are browning, but also papery to the touch, along with spots of gray fuzz, the plants are suffering from botrytis flower rot. Rust and leaf spot could also cause browning and leaf curl. In any of these cases, remove the rotted parts and do not water plants from overhead to avoid getting the buds and leaves overly wet. Space the plants to improve air circulation.
Yellowing Leaves
If leaves are becoming very light yellow, check for spider mites and their fine webs on the underside of the leaves. Use insecticidal soap to control the issue. Aphids could also cause discoloration in the leaves.
Holes in Buds
It’s likely cutworms have fed on the buds and created holes. Going forward, plants will need protection or pesticides (as a last option).
Wilting and Split Stems
Bacterial wilt could have infected the plants, and younger plants are more vulnerable to the disease. Remove diseased parts with a cutting tool that is well sterilized to avoid the spread of the problem. Moving forward, be cautious when watering so you don’t splash buds or leaves. Root rot can also cause wilting, leading to yellow leaves, and then imminent death.
III. Uses and Benefits
Carnation is a herbaceous flowering perennial that is commonly found in gardens. It is prized for its aroma, hardiness, and aesthetic appeal. It is suitable for borders and beds. It is frequently used for cut flowers. Carnation is essential for Cottage gardens. Plant with other carnation cultivars, Moonshine, or Mexican Feather Grass to make color and texture contrasts.
IV. Types of Carnations
There are three basic types of carnations available to the home grower: large-flowered carnations (also known as standard carnations), dwarf-flowered carnations, and spray or miniature carnations. The following cultivars are a very small sample of the thousands of varieties available.
- Chabaud carnations: These large standard carnations come in a variety of cultivars, including “Jeanne Dionis” (white), “Benigna” (picotee white-edged with magenta), “Aurora” (range of medium to dark pink), “Orange Sherbet” (warm, deep coral), and “La France” (classic pale pink).
- Spray carnations: These cultivars include “Elegance” (white-edged pink), “Exquisite” (white-edged purple), and “Rony” (scarlet red).
- Full double-petaled carnations: Some excellent smaller varieties with full double-petaled flowers include “Appleblossom Burst” (shades of pink with deep red centers), “Double Bubble” (bright bubble gum pink), “Grace Bay” (cream flower heads edged in magenta), and “Rosy Cheeks” (medium pink with orange centers).
