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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.
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/
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.
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