Dianthus Growing Guide

Dianthus caryophyllus

Dianthus

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Average garden soil with excellent drainage.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Annual dianthus tolerates light frost with ease, but can be damaged by hard freezes. Where winters are mild, dianthus can be grown as a winter annual.

Feeding

Encourage fast growth by adding a balanced organic fertilizer to the soil before planting.

Companions

Dianthus combines well with other cold-tolerant annuals including pansies, dusty miller, and ornamental cabbage and kale.

Spacing

Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 11" (30cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Set out stocky seedlings in early spring, or in fall where winters are mild.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Dianthus blooms earlier than other annuals, and well-sited plants may persist for two years in climates with mild winters. Colors include pink, red, lavender, white and many bicolors.

Harvesting

Some varieties have stems long enough for cutting. As flowers fade, snip them off with scissors to keep the plants looking neat.

Troubleshooting

Both rabbits and deer like to nibble dianthus foliage. In summer, spider mites cause occasional problems and can be controlled with insecticidal soap.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Dianthus