Somewhat forgotten, the romantic carnations are currently experiencing a revival as vase and garden flowers. No wonder, since the pretty perpetual bloomers are extremely adaptable and easy to cultivate. Due to countless new breeds, carnations vary in colour, scent and flower shape and can therefore be perfectly integrated into any flower bed.
Carnations come in many different colors
Plant profile:
systematics
- Botanical name: Dianthus spec.
- Order Caryophyllales
- Family: Carnation family (Caryophyllaceae)
- Genus: Carnations
botanical
- Habit: Upright clumps or in flat cushions of dense rhizomes
- Growth height: Five to thirty centimeters
- Main flowering period: May to September
- Flower: Serrated, notched or slit petals
- Flower color: White, pink, red, purple, yellow, orange, also bicolor
- Leaves: Simply opposite, lanceolate to ovate
Known carnation species
| Surname | description |
|---|---|
| Sweet William | Popular cottage garden plant. It grows to about 50 centimeters in height and has a flat inflorescence with many individual flowers. |
| Chinese carnation | Diverse flower colors, mostly multicolored crown, very pleasant fragrance. |
| plume | Delicate, feathery incised petals, intense fragrance. |
| carnation | Fit perfectly in the perennial bed due to their breeding variety. |
| Carthusian pink | Flowers bright pink and is a popular insect feeder. |
origin
Originally, the carnations were at home in the temperate areas of Eurasia, where they are often found in difficult locations such as dry sandy soil or damp water edges.
Carnations have been cultivated as ornamental plants since ancient times. Thanks to new breeds, there are now more than 27,000 varieties.
location and substrate
Carnations prefer loose, nutrient-rich soil without permanent waterlogging. As typical sun children, you need a lot of light. Since these requirements can also be easily met in a planter on the terrace or balcony, they are wonderfully suited for pot culture.
wintering
Perennial carnation species are fully hardy. If you protect the plants from the icy weather with brushwood, even frosts cannot harm them.
watering and fertilizing
Since the narrow foliage of the carnations is surrounded by a protective layer of wax, they evaporate very little moisture. So you can confidently be economical with watering. It is sufficient if you additionally water during dry periods.
Cloves respond to too many nutrients with long, soft shoots. In addition, the perennial bloomers are susceptible to pests and fungal diseases. For this reason, you can refrain from fertilizing. Provide perennial carnation plants with mature compost only in spring.
diseases and pests
Properly cared for, carnations are extremely robust. Only aphids and snails can become a problem.
tips
The main root of the carnation reaches far into the ground and only branches a little. Because of this, they are difficult to share. If you want to multiply cloves, you should therefore cut cuttings or collect the seeds and spread them out at your chosen location.