Pot-prince Light Pink

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Caryophyllaceae or Caryophyllaceae.

Order

Caryophyllales

Genus

Dianthus

Species

caryophyllus

Description

A perennial ornamental herb that adds a unique decorative touch with its prolonged flowering period, producing a profusion of flowers – single or double, often fragrant and varying widely in colour depending on the variety – borne at the tips of slender stems, creating visually striking landscape features. Easy to grow, it is suitable for outdoor flowerbeds and planters, as well as indoors in bright conservatories.

Species video

https://youtu.be/nCobsupR-Cw

Variety description

A very compact and re-blooming carnation, it holds up very well both in warm climates and in its natural cool habitat, where it flowers for a long period. Within the series there is a wide range of colours. It has a pleasant and intense fragrance.

Curiosities and special features

The common carnation is loved not only by landscape designers and gardening enthusiasts but also by florists, who use the flower stems of the taller varieties for fresh arrangements and bouquets.

Origin and distribution

The genus Dianthus comprises around 300 species, including D. caryophyllus , which is native to the Balkan Peninsula and is now found – following extensive hybridisation – in European temperate biomes, with a wide range of cultivars featuring flowers in a variety of colour shades.

Flower size

Taken individually, the flower is of average size when compared with those of other varieties of the same botanical species.

Leaf

The leaves have a thin lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

The profuse flowering period lasts from mid-winter to early autumn, spanning between 90 and 200 days, allowing it to add colour and elegance to your green spaces for a long time.

Inflorescence

A flower head borne at the top of slender herbaceous stems.

Leaf colour

A solid colour, in perfect chromatic harmony with the colour tones of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The plant’s height ranges from 0.15 to 0.2 m, making it possible to create individual, uniform groups as well as mixed arrangements with other ornamental plants of varying sizes.

Lifespan

Herbaceous perennial.

Where to plant

Its lush blooms, which come in a wide variety of colours, make the common carnation suitable for use in:

Outdoor ornamental settings

Stem

The stem is herbaceous and erect; the plant has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is double, medium-sized, with a pinkish corolla and single-coloured petals. It grows in small head-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-winter to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 90 and 200 days. It has sweet notes, is not very fragrant, and has a delicate aroma.

Growth

The compact growth allows for dense covers similar to coloured pads.

Plant habit

A variety with a globose growth habit, characterised by tufted foliage at the base and rounded inflorescences.

Branching

The abundant branching creates a balanced relationship between foliage and inflorescences with a cohesive and compact final effect.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil or cultivation medium for carnations is between 5.5 and 6.8.

Soil preparation

Before spring planting, carry out a light digging to a depth of 20–30 cm, removing any weeds, large stones or residues from previous crops, and then break up any compacted clods to make the soil looser. Finally, add a layer of professional-grade growing medium to the surface, approximately 5–10 cm thick, and prepare the planting holes at a suitable density.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Sun exposure

For better development followed by abundant flowering we recommend the following exposures: Light source indoors, Half shade, Full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 10 and 16 °C for optimal vegetative growth and abundant flowering. The temperature range within which the plant can survive is between -3 and 40 °C.

Use

Versatile, thanks to its growth habit and spectacular flowering, it is ideal for adding a unique splash of colour to flowerbeds, balconies, window boxes, outdoor planters and small pots. The common carnation is prized for adorning both small spaces and larger green areas, where it adds considerable ornamental value.

Hardiness

Ahighly hardy variety, it copes well with hot summer weather provided it is watered in accordance with its requirements.

Soil

The common carnation prefers peaty, well-drained soil; for planters or pots, use a high-quality potting mix for spring-flowering plants.

Difficulty

The fact that it is easy to grow and requireslittle maintenance adds value to this variety.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation tips for achieving the best growth and flowering results:

Avoid over-watering Keep the growing medium consistently moist It can be planted in a flowerbed, even in full sun. It requires regular, generous fertilisation

Combinations with other plants

Striking and scenic Compositions with other ornamentals such as Calocephalus, Cineraria maritima, Cuphea, Euphorbia hypericifolia, Iberis will create harmonious overall movements and elegant colour combinations.

Planting

In the flowerbed, plant at an average density of 25 plants per square metre to allow each individual plant to grow properly, resulting in compact, uniform clumps of foliage from which an abundance of flowers will emerge, creating a spectacular final effect.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water with a slightly acidic pH, either manually or via an irrigation system. Immediately after transplanting, water thoroughly and support the seedling during the early stages of growth at its new planting site, maintaining constant moisture levels and preventing the soil from drying out. Thereafter, keep the growing medium or soil consistently moist but free from waterlogging, which can lead to the development of fungal diseases and root rot. It is also advisable not to water the plant from above during the evening hours to avoid damaging the flowers and to prevent the development of plant diseases.

Fertilising

Following transplanting, after proper settling in the new planting site, regularly apply a specific balanced fertiliser for flowering ornamental plants to the soil or medium at the foot of the plant, to be distributed liquid, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency or dosage.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet safety

Toxic to pets such as dogs and cats, as well as to horses; assess each case individually.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible ornamental Species.

Tip

It is advisable to always remove dead flowers to prevent the plant from setting fruit and thus prolong the flowering period. Excessively high temperatures in summer significantly slow down re-flowering.