Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter | Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets: Skin allergen, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Dianthus can be annuals, evergreen perennials or subshrubs with narrow, often greyish leaves and showy flowers that are frequently fragrant
- Name status
Trade
- Horticultural Group
- Perpetual flowering carnations are half-hardy evergreen perennials grown under glass for cut flowers and for exhibition. Given temperatures above 10°C, they can flower all year round, the blooms to 10cm across, sometimes scented
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in containers in a peat-free compost with added perlite. When buds appear, feed with a high potassium liquid feed. Perpetual flowering carnations are often grown under glass all year but can be placed outside in summer. Stems will require staking. See staking: perennials
Propagation
Propagate by cuttings taken from non-flowering stems; early spring is a good time to do this but cuttings can be taken any time from late winter through to late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust, a virus and fusarium wilt
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.