DIANTHUS
"Rainbow Loveliness"
Dianthus are, for the most part, generally easy
to grow here in Missouri. They are a big family and not all varieties are suitable
for our hot summers. I love carnations, and have always wanted them in my
garden. Grow them in a temperate climate, and you'll have success...but they
certainly do not favor the heat over here. Many of these are grown as annuals.
Dianthus require a well drained soil in a sunny location. Good drainage is very
important--they will quickly deteriorate if the soil is water logged. Some tend to
heave out of the ground over winter... occasionally, I need to fill them in with fine soil
to keep the crown from drying out. They are easily started from seed; just sprinkle
over bare soil and lightly cover, then water in gently.
After much frustration with the carnation
types, I discovered the pinks. This type of dianthus, the "pinks"
are called such because the fringed flowers appear to have been trimmed with a pinking
scissors. Many of these boast fragrant, but smaller flowers, with a spicy
scent. In the future I will be highlighting other dianthus pinks that do well in
this area. For now, since I have a picture of my favorite "pink," dianthus
"Rainbow Loveliness," is a profile of this lovely plant.
I first came across this plant at a friend's home. Tammy's garden is a collection of fragrant perennials and annuals, some of which I have never seen before, or which are difficult to find at our local nurseries. I have been introduced to plants in her garden that I probably have missed in my own hurried glances through the seed catalogs. So it happened that I came across this particular dianthus, its deeply fringed flowers were a mass of pink, purple, and white, like a hazy cloud. Of course, two questions came to mind: first, "what is it?" and second, "where do I find it?" It seems this dianthus is not one that is easily found in local nurseries. Rather, it came from the Thompson and Morgan seed company. Although easy to grow from seed, she noticed that the plants have a tendency to be somewhat short-lived. After the third year, her plants had started to thin out. With this knowledge, I made sure to scatter some seed every couple of years to ensure a good sized clump at all times. This perennial will attempt to re-bloom in early fall, if the spent flower stems are cut back in the spring. Easy to care for, easy to grow. A rainbow of loveliness that attracts attention wherever it blooms... a sight not to be missed in a hurried glance.
