When their bright red blossoms hover over dry meadows, gravel beds and prairie gardens, we want to be able to enjoy this splendor of flowers next year as well. So the question is obvious whether the heather carnation is frost-resistant. Read here about the winter hardiness of a Dianthus deltoides. Benefit from our tips for a successful hibernation.

As a meadow plant native to us, the heather carnation is very hardy

Native perennial with reliable winter hardiness

The heath pink is native to Germany and all of Europe, so it has adapted well to the adverse weather conditions of winter. Botanists assign the perennial to the winter hardiness zone Z3. This category includes all plants that can easily withstand temperatures of up to - 40 degrees Celsius. Therefore, no special precautions need to be taken before winter.

Light winter protection makes sense in the year of planting

The heath carnation only develops its stable frost resistance over the course of the first two years. Perennials planted in autumn should therefore be protected against severe frost. Cover the root disc with autumn leaves or pine needles to protect the young plants from the rigors of the cold season. Alternatively, spread a breathable fleece over the planting site.

This is how the heather carnation overwinters in the pot and balcony box

In the bucket and flower box (€16.99), the root ball is in a vulnerable position behind the walls of the container. While heather carnations can rely on the protection of the soil in the bed, this does not apply to balcony plants. How to ensure wintering in the planter:

  • Relocate tubs and balcony boxes in front of the south wall of the house
  • Place on a block of wood or a styrofoam plate (€35.50).
  • Cover the vessel with jute, fleece or foil
  • Pile leaves, pine needles or straw on the substrate

Please place small pots and flower boxes (€16.99) in bright, frost-free winter quarters. Here you water the heather carnation from time to time so that the root ball does not dry out. Since the flower does not shed its foliage in winter, evaporation continues. The plant does not receive fertilizer in winter.

tips

In 2012, the Loki Schmidt Foundation named the heather carnation flower of the year. The aim of the appointment was to draw attention to the wonderful attributes and endangered habitat of the Dianthus deltoides. By planting the dainty flower with the bright red blossoms in your garden, you are helping to preserve them.

Category:

Vegetable garden