Carnations, sweet William, pinks! Dianthus are fun and useful flowers to grow in a perennial garden. Sweetly scented and available in a range of flower colors, dianthus are easy-going and low-maintenance. Kevin Espiritu will give you all you need to grow them.The best thing about dianthus is you’ll find tons at your local nursery. Each variety is similar but different enough that you have choices. How you incorporate this easy-going variety into your landscape informs the type you choose.
They aren’t native to North America, but they’re lovely and provide pollen for insects who stop off at your dianthus flowers as well as your pepper flowers, too. With over 300 species to choose from, chances are there’s one you’ll enjoy.
In this piece, we’ll discuss caring for dianthus. We’ll identify some of the 300+ plus varieties, talk about dianthus care, and cover issues that dianthus gardeners might run into. After you’re done reading this, you’ll be fully equipped to add a dash of dianthus to your garden. Dianthus (Dianthus spp.) is a genus of flowering herbaceous perennials, though some are annual or biennial. Some develop woody stems and a shrub-like growth habit. Dianthus flowers are hardy while they’re growing. They’re popular in floral arrangements. They’re perfect in a perennial garden, alongside annual vegetables, and in cottage gardens, too.
They were named by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus in the 300s BC. Dianthus is native to Europe and Asia, with a few species hailing from Africa. They also have a history of use in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean medicine to treat mouth and gum diseases, as well as gastrointestinal conditions. All dianthus species have opposite leaves that are simple and green. They reach 10 inches tall to 36 inches tall, and one to two feet wide, depending on the variety. The sometimes-double flowers have five petals and come in arrays of colors and scents. Common varieties have frilled pink to fuschia petals that bloom from early spring to late fall. All self-seed or return annually. Their long roots remain in the soil throughout harsh winters.