Dianthus plumarius
| Dianthus plumarius | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Dianthus plumarius (common name: garden pink)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings, taken at flowering time, with four pairs of leaves and trimmed just below a joint[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline soil in a sunny well-drained position[1]. Succeeds in dry soils and in poor soils[1]. Plants can be grown on walls[1].
There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[1]. The flowers are very fragrant[2], diffusing a powerful clove-like scent[3]. Individual plants become rather untidy after a few years and are best replaced every 2 - 4 years[1]. Some older cultivars, such as 'Sops in Wine' have a tendency to flower themselves to death. These should be grown in a richer soil in order to encourage the production of more foliage and should not be allowed to flower in their first year[1].
Range: E. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat: Grows in old walls in many parts of Britain[2].
Edibility: The petals are made into cordials, syrups, sauces, vinegars etc[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.