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This Dianthus is a looker in more ways than one! A fable describes Diana the Goddess growing fond of a shepherd boy that didn't return the affection. Her embarrassment and anger for this rejection got the best of her, and she gouged his eyes out. Where they fell, the Dianthus grew in their place. An ode to the boy in the form of this beautiful carnation's bloom seems fitting.
Care Level:
Pet Friendly: Warning
This plant can be toxic to animals and lead to gastrointestinal problems if ingested.
Origins: It is unknown where this plant orginated but most likely the Mediterranean region.
Fun Facts: Dianthus are tigh...
Dianthus are tight knit and sprawl a bit like a carpet making a good ground cover. Keep them in well draining soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. Add dolomite lime if the soil is too acidic.
Dianthus bloom in throughout the growing season from spring to fall and some even have a spicy fragrance. Dianthus bloom attracts moths and butterflies to the garden. Even when the Dianthus is not blooming, it has a blue-green foliage that adds color to the garden borders.
Add this plant to a full sun area in the garden (6-8 hours).
Keep your soil at a lower moisture and let dry out between waterings. Water at the base of the plant to avoid mildew from forming on the leaves.
Average humidity between 40-60% is fine for this plant.
Dianthus can handle a light frost.
This dianthus is tolerant of frosts and performs well down to -10°F. This plant is an evergreen perennial in planting zones from 6a-9b.
Fertilize with a balanced granular plant fertilizer in the spring when growth appears.
Outdoors: Dig a hole twice the width of the grower pot and slightly shorter in depth. Add root hormone and mix in compost if your soil is unhealthy or clay (half compost-half native soil). This plant prefers a neutral pH to alkaline soil. If your soil is acidic, add dolomite lime to your hole as per the bag's instructions. (Use our 3 in 1 plant meter to measure!) Water the bare roots in the hole, then fill with the mixed soil. Tamp around the plant to release all air pockets. Water again at the base of the plant. Keep watch and measure your soil moisture every couple of days to ensure the roots are moist but not soggy. Plant in full (6-8 hours).
Once the flowers are all finished blooming, shear the stems off. If the foliage is still clean and tight, leave it as is. If she's looking worn, you can snip back to remove the first one-third of the leaves. Don't worry, new blooms will follow in late summer.
Division: When planted outdoors in planting zones, 6a+ divide the Dianthus in the late fall before going dormant. Dig the plant up, giving plenty of room around the root ball. Remove the root ball and slice through the roots with a sharp knife or pruners. Replant in a full sun spot (6-8 hours) in a pH neutral to alkaline garden soil (7 pH) with good drainage or a container plant mix. Use your plant meter to ensure the soil pH is correct. Dig the hole twice as wide and the same depth as the original. Add root hormone at the bottom of the hole, place the root ball in the center, and water. Add compost and supplemental garden soil to the hole mixed with the native soil. Plant them in bright, indirect sunlight and water.
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