Chinese pink varietal dianthus
Dannette Hunnel
The dianthus plant thrives in Sun Lakes during January. Even after cold, rainy days, they remain bright and healthy, kicking off the new year with pretty colors. They are familiar in the Valley as a winter annual; however, if protected from the summer sun and with plenty of water during hot months, they can last year-round. The plant won’t bloom during summer but remains as a little bush in a tight mound.
Dianthus have silver-green leaves, and the flowers can be pink, white, red, or lavender. The “eyes” can feature different coloring in the center. Some have an appearance of being “streaked.” The blooms begin during the cooler months and remain until April. Dianthus flowers rise up above the leaves from 2 to 12 inches. They will reseed themselves, continuing to spread if not deadheaded. Pruning should happen in the fall, or when the flower begins to look shriveled, and again in the spring. Deadhead by cutting the stems to just above the point where the side stem joins the main plant.
Dianthus are rich in nectar, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Their fragrance, some say, is similar to dryer sheets. Fertilize your plant once a month. If you are traveling for a long while, just add a slow-release fertilizer into the soil around the base of the plant once a year.
Dianthus are happiest in well-draining soil. Water once a week unless it rains, and try to water at the base of the plant and not on the flower itself. It’s good to let them dry between waterings. Perlite mixed in the soil is helpful. If using a planter, be sure it has drain holes, or add stones on the very bottom.
Dianthus do best in the winter with at least six hours of full sun, and they can tolerate a light frost but will perish from a hard freeze. Cover with a pillowcase or burlap. The lifespan of dianthus is approximately four years, after which time, they will get woody and scraggly looking with no more blooms.
They are easy to propagate. Place cuttings with at least one node from a non-flowering shoot in a small pot with dark, alkaline soil. Make sure the node is below the soil and keep damp, with five hours of sun. New leaves should appear in about a month.
Dianthus are subtle, low-to-the ground, small flowers that are easy to care for and are clean looking. They make your yard look nice and well-cared for, even when you don’t have a lot of time.