Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Colorful Dianthus

Do you love Dianthus? I do, but Dianthus doesn't always grow well and especially winter well in my garden. Even so two years ago I planted mixed seeds of Dianthus barbatus or 'sweet William' or  'Turkish carnation' (as we call it) in my greenhouse and in autumn I had small seedlings.


These seedlings were planted in September, they wintered well and this summer
Dianthus prettily flowers. Look at its different varieties:




Besides 'sweet William' I planted the seeds of perennial  Dianthus deltoides or 'Maiden Pinks', we call it 'Grassy carnation'I think 'Maiden Pinks' with little flowers on thin stems look beautifully when are planted very closely.

  
I have Dianthus deltoides of two varieties: with pink and white petals



I like this perennial 'Maiden Pinks' Dianthus because it perfectly extends and winters under snow. It's said if there is not enough snow this plant may be frozen but in spring quickly restores. My  'Maiden Pinks' did not winter well last year because the snow was not in its spot, but frost was. Even so it recovered and this summer blooms well.


What is Dianthus common name in your country? What species of it grow in your garden? Thank you!


A Tribute
 

  To all the innocent victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash over Ukraine

27 comments:

  1. We grow sweet Williams every year - this year's have finished flowering and next year's are at the seedling stage.

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    1. You reminded me to plant seeds now, thank you Sue! My sweet Williams is mostly in bloom and some are fading.

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  2. Wow ! I love these flowers ! You have such a gorgeous collection of these flowers ! Just gorgeous flowers !
    Greetings

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  3. I don't grow Dianthus but I often think I should. I like yours, especially the white one with the purple center.

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  4. Sweet William and Pinks have always been a favourite of mine. My Mother used to grow Sweet William in our garden when I was growing up in a country town. I have some Pinks growing in my garden. They are the plain pink common variety and I love their sweet perfume and put them in a vase in my kitchen when they are blooming in Spring/early Summer.
    Thank you for your thoughtful tribute.


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    1. I see you have many plants of Dianthus. Can imagine how pretty they look in your garden, Betty.

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  5. Hi Nadezda,
    Your two colour maiden pinks are beautiful. You should also try the "Garden Pinks". Most are very cold hardy (they survive here easily and we are colder than you) and very easy, especially if your soil is alkaline.

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    1. Alain, I tried to grow this dianthus, we call it 'Chinese carnation' but it was unsuccessful. Will try again, thank you!

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  6. I´ve always been fond of Sweet Williams, and grow them as a bienniel from seed, like picking them for indoors. They have been finished by now. Than I have of the garden pinks, the white Mrs. Sinkins, a beauty but all flowers beinge eaten by the rabbit, a shame. I used to grow also Dianthus amurensis, a beautiful small lilac one and the Dianthus plumarius (grass carnations). But this year I had only the Sweet Williams in bloom, the others are bold stems, all buds and flowers eaten by the rabbits, I think a delicacy for them.

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    1. Oh, dear, that is so pity! lovely dianthus with bold stems eaten by rabbits. Fortunately we have no rabbits in our gardens, Janneke.

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  7. Dear Nadezda,you are so kind for the tribute to all the innocent victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 .What a tragedy indeed.Your flowers are so preety!We call them carnations and they really smell pretty!Thank you for sharing this beauty!Have a lovely week!
    Dimi...

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  8. I always learn so many new flowers when I visit your blog. I had never seen Dianthus before. How beautiful!!

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  9. Of course I love it. I sowed Sweet William seeds several months ago, but unsuccess. For me growing Dianthus from seed is not easy, it really needs hard work and patience. Yours are so beautiful. I love it!

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    1. Endah, I think growing Dianthus from seeds needs some cold time. I have problem with surviving the seedlings during winter. Good luck with dianthus!

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  10. I love Dianthus! 'Duizendschoon' we call them which literally means 'Thousand beauty' and it is I think, with all its colour combinations. I hadn't seen the grassy dianthus though! Those are so pretty! Wish I could find some seed to sow them next year. Dianthus is probably one of the only plants that wants to grow from seed in our garden. One more reason I love them probably ;) They are all faded now though so I especially enjoyed your post. Thanks!
    Marian

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    1. I didn't grow dianthus directly in a soil, Marian. I prefer to sow them in July-August and then I plant seedlings in September. Perhaps your soft climate is suitable for sowing grassy Dianthus. Good luck!

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  11. What beautiful Dianthus, Nadezda! They look so pretty the way you've grouped them together like that. Mine are mostly in pots, but after having seen your display I might just move some into the garden.

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    1. I've never grown dianthus in pots, Paula. Here with enough cold winter it grows well in a soil and quickly recovers in spring. Hope yours will be nice in your garden.

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  12. I adore dianthus, but like you I find they don't winter well. My theory is that they need really gritty soil to improve drainage during the winter. One day soon I hope to create a rocky bed where I will grown more dianthus. You certainly have some wonderful dianthus in your garden Nadezda. I bet they small divine.

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    1. I agree Jennifer, the dianthus need dry soil. I have very turf acidic soil, and I always put more sand and some gravel when I plant new flowers. The new spot where dianthus grow now is raised bed, with good drainage.
      Thank you!

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  13. Hello Nadezda Girl !
    I love carnations and Maiden Pinks remind me of them ... some of these plants have the same scent of carnations so I just have to get down low to have a good smell of that amazing scent ... they are such pretty flowers too. Yours all look wonderful so you have had good luck in growing them : ) well done you !!
    Joy

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    1. You're right, Joy, to feel a scent of Maiden Pinks one has to lay down! But they smell pleasantly.
      Thank you!

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  14. Your Dianthus are very beautiful, I love the fragrance of these flowers.

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