Dianthus Flower plant Gardening with Care Tips

Dianthus flower plants (Dianthus spp.) are called pinks.These dianthus belong to a family of plants which includes carnations, and are characterized by the spicy fragrance the blooms emit. Dianthus plants are found as a hardy annual, biennial or perennial and most often used in potted displays. Learning how to grow dianthus reveals the ease of care and versatility of this attractive flowering plant. 

Dianthus Plant Varieties 

The dianthus plants are also called Sweet William plants (Dianthus barbatus) and have a fragrance with cinnamon or clove notes. The Dianthus Flower plants are small and usually between 6 and 18 inches (15-46 cm) tall. Dianthus flowers are mostly available in pink, salmon, red and white hues. These  foliage is sparsely spread and slender on thick stems. 

Dianthus flower plants had a short blooming season until 1971, when a breeder learned how to grow forms that did not set seed and, therefore, have a prolonged bloom period. Modern dianthus varieties will typically bloom from May to October. 

Planting Dianthus flower plant 

Dianthus Plants are in pinks in full sun, partial shade or anywhere they will receive at least 6 hours of sun. The Dianthus plants need fertile, well-drained soil that is alkaline. Wait until the danger of frost has passed when planting dianthus plants and place them at the same level they were growing in the pots, with 12 to 18 inches about 30-46 cm between the Dianthus plants. Water them only at the base of the Dianthus plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent mildew spotting.

Dianthus Plant Care 

Instructions on how to care for the dianthus plant are very straightforward. Water the Dianthus plants when dry and apply fertilizer every six to eight weeks. You may also work a slow-release organic fertilizer into the soil at planting, which will release you from the need to feed the Dianthus plants. 

Some Dianthus varieties of dianthus are self-sowing, so deadheading is extremely important to reduce volunteer plants and to encourage additional blooming. 

Dianthus Perennial varieties are short lived and should be propagated by division, tip cuttings or even layering. Dianthus plant seed is also readily available at garden centers and may be started indoors six to eight weeks before the danger of frost has passed. 

Dianthus Varieties 

There is a dianthus flower plant for almost any garden space and region. The typical annual dianthus plant is the Dianthus chinensis, or Chinese pinks. 

The Dianthus perennial varieties include Cheddar (D. gratianopolitanus), Cottage (D. plumarius) and Grass pinks (D. armeria). The foliage on all of these is blue-gray and each comes in a different color. 

D. barbatus is the common Sweet William plant and a biennial. There are both double and single flowers and the Dianthus varieties reseeds itself. Allwood pinks (D x allwoodii) are long with flowering extending above 8 weeks. They are mostly double flowering and come in two sizes, 3 to 6 inches and 10 to 18 inches  tall.