Add Dianthus to the Flower Garden

Dianthus are making a revival in recent years as plant breeders are introducing many new and improved varieties for use in the flower garden. This does not mean that such popular and excellent flowering annuals as petunias, marigolds, and zinnias are losing out. One reason for the increasing popularity of dianthus is that many of the new varieties flower well the first year after seeding while older types did not. For a full summer of bloom, plants must be started indoors, or purchased from the nursery or garden center.

Dianthus are suitable for edgings, borders, rock gardens, or color massing. Although stems are fairly short on the dwarf types, they make a satisfactory cut flower. Many dianthus are actually perennials and survive for several years. But to get the unbroken masses of color, yearly planting is best. Give dianthus a well drained location. They normally have few problems, but rots and diseases may develop in wet conditions. Plant them where they get full sun. One of the first of the improved dianthus was the single flowered, brilliant red variety called Bravo. Just a few years later it was followed by a very free-flowering variety of the same color called Queen of Hearts.

Both these varieties grow about one foot tall, and once they begin flowering in the spring they will continue until frost on neat, compact plants. This year a similar but white variety, Snowflake, has been introduced. Flowers are large and single, on vigorous plants that grow about 8 inches tall. Another new distinctive dianthus variety is Orchid Lace. This variety is distinctive because of its deeply fringed petals. Plants are also quite compact. It has good heat tolerance, as do all the new dianthus.

Baby Doll was a variety that appeared fairly early in the line of dianthus introductions. Flowers were single and vary large. The combination of very dwarf plants and large flowers make it an interesting novelty. It is available in mixed shades of rose, pink, and white. Another interesting dianthus variety is called China Doll. It has dwarf plants similar to the other, but is distinctive because of its double flowers.

The flowers come in many shades of pink, crimson, and salmon. Each flower is fringed, and usually edged in a lighter shade, or white. Flowers are produced abundantly, and for a long season. If you have not used dianthus in the past, or have been disappointed in old varieties, plan a trial planting this spring. You may decide to make them a regular.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianthus