Dianthus – April Plant of the Month

Dianthus explodes into a profusion of flowers in early spring. Also known as Pinks, Carnations, and Sweet William, there are dozens of varieties of these gorgeous perennials, perfect for any garden, border, or ground cover. They bloom profusely from early spring to early summer. Blooms can be anywhere from white to pink to red to purple and even combinations of those shades. Dianthus is also a showstopper for its unique blue-green foliage, which provides the perfect backdrop for those bright flowers. 

Sizing varies between varieties; some stay as low as six inches while others can reach two feet or more! Taller varieties are the perfect size for bouquets. Regardless of size, they all benefit from deadhead (the removal of spent flowers) to encourage a flush of fresh flowers.

These blooming perennials do best in full sun, at least 6 hours daily. While they can tolerate part shade, they won’t bloom as much. Do not plant Dianthus in heavy shade, they will not tolerate it and will fade quickly.

Dianthus prefers well-draining soil. They are moderately drought-tolerant once established. They do not, however, tolerate wet soil.

Once established, they need minimal care from you. Fertilize them once in spring, when the new growth emerges from dormancy. Use a slow-release fertilizer like Dynamite or a fertilizer specifically for flowers like Flower Tone.

Dianthus We Love!

The following varieties are just some of the many types of Dianthus you can find. These varieties are just some of our favorites and are in stock now. Check back regularly throughout April, new varieties are arriving regularly.