DIANTHUS DIANA SCARLET BICOLOUR

A compact China Pink forming neat 8–10 inch mounds that burst with bright scarlet-red blooms, edged with white. Uniform, early to flower, and reliably repeat blooming, it’s ideal for borders, window boxes, rock gardens, and containers. Low maintenance and drought tolerant once established, it offers vivid colour and excellent garden performance for beginners and seasoned growers alike. 8-10”. HHA.

Dianthus, Carnations, Garden Pinks or Sweet Williams, are old fashioned looking cottage garden favourites with characteristically fringed petals and a pleasing fragrance.

Annual Dianthus are a popular summer bedding plant, some types have been specifically produced for autumn flowering. Perennial types make excellent alpine and low border plants generally flowering early in the season.

Sow Dianthus seeds from January to April. Sow the seeds onto the surface of a moist, free-draining, seed compost ideally using plug trays to prevent root disturbance. Cover the seeds lightly with vermiculite, and cover the trays with polythene to maintain humidity without omitting light until the first seedlings are visible. Germination normally takes around 7 days at 18-20oC – higher temperatures may reduce germination.

Once the seedlings are growing well, drop the temperature down to around 10C

After 5 or 6 weeks the young plants should be ready to transplant into individual 3 inch pots and grow on until they are nicely established.