Perennial
Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus
A short-lived perennial with a woody base, narrow grey-green leaves and often fragrant flowers. It needs sun and good drainage; overwintering depends on the cultivated form and conditions. Contact with the plant may irritate skin.
- Size
- 0.5–1 m high · 0.1–0.5 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Needs protection
- Seasonal form
- Evergreen
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Provide sun and well-drained soil, ideally neutral or alkaline. Avoid a wet crown, especially in winter.
- Check the cultivar's intended use and hardiness: border carnations and cut-flower forms do not have identical requirements.
- Prevent dogs, cats and horses from eating the plants or cut flowers.
Why choose it
- Often fragrant flowers and grey-green foliage give borders a distinctive appearance.
- Cultivar choice allows you to select height, flower shape and colour.
Care
- Water moderately and let excess water drain away. Check container compost more often than garden soil.
- Remove spent flowers to encourage further flowering. Tall cut-flower forms may need support.
- Keep the crown from staying wet in winter and adapt protection to the cultivar and local climate. Use gloves if handling irritates your skin.
Good to know
- Carnations may irritate skin. Eating them can cause digestive upset in dogs, cats and horses; bouquets are not a safe snack.
- This is not sweet William, Dianthus barbatus. A short lifespan or seasonal cultivation does not make the species biologically annual.