The wonderfully fragrant and richly flowering carnations (Dianthus) form dense carpets of flowers. The mostly biennial perennials thrive in almost every garden and require little care. However, the location and soil conditions are not the same for all types and varieties, which is why we will tell you the optimal planting conditions for popular carnation species at this point.

Planting carnations is easy

Which location do carnations prefer?

Basically, all carnations, no matter what variety, are very sun-loving plants. The sunnier the perennials are, the more luxuriant growth and flowering will be.

What soil do carnations grow best in?

However, the situation is completely different with regard to the soil conditions, because the numerous types of carnation sometimes require very different substrates. You can find the corresponding requirements in the table below. Basically, and this applies to all carnations, the soil should be loose and permeable. Avoid waterlogging.

kind origin floor Preparation of the ground
heath carnation Moors in low and hill country prefers acidic soils do not lime
Thoroughly incorporate humus / compost
Sweet William Eastern Europe, East Asia, lowlands moist, nutritious Thoroughly incorporate humus / compost
plume Alps calcareous, barren, rather dry lime fertilization
best rock gardens
Carthusian carnation Lime dry grassland, sandy forests, heaths sandy, permeable, rather dry thin nutrient-rich soil with sand
carnation Moors, wet meadows, damp forests wet best near the pond
Chinese carnation Grassland, sparse forests sandy thin nutrient-rich soil with sand

When should carnations be planted?

Carnations are best planted in April/May.

What planting distance should you keep?

Depending on the species, carnations are planted about 15 to 30 centimeters apart.

Can carnations also be sown directly?

You can also sow carnations in pots from March / April and grow them on the windowsill.

Are carnations suitable for a pot culture on the balcony?

Many types of carnation - especially those that prefer calcareous soil - are ideal for balcony planting. Some varieties even form hanging flowers that grow up to half a meter out of the window box.

When do carnations bloom?

Depending on the variety, carnations bloom continuously between June and September.

How are biennial carnations propagated?

You can propagate cloves by seeds, cuttings also by division.

Good Neighbors / Bad Neighbors

Carnations get along very well with many other sun-loving perennials and look very pretty, especially in combination with daisies, lavender, foxgloves, sage, bluebells or spiers.

tips

If you want to plant carnations in the spring, you should ideally dig up the planting site in the autumn beforehand and work in mature compost or rotted manure.

Category:

Vegetable garden