Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Average garden soil with excellent drainage.
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Position
Full sun.
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Frost tolerant
Annual dianthus tolerates light frost with ease, but can be damaged by hard freezes.
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Feeding
Encourage fast growth by mixing a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil before planting.
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Companions
Dianthus combines well with other cold-tolerant annuals including pansies, cineraria, and ornamental cabbage and kale.
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Spacing
Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 30cm (11") row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Set out stocky seedlings in early spring, or in autumn where winters are mild.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Dianthus blooms earlier than other annuals, and well-sited plants may persist for two years in areas with mild winters. Colours include pink, red, lavender, white and many bicolours.
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Harvesting
Some varieties have stems long enough for cutting. As flowers fade, snip them off with scissors to keep the plants looking neat.
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Troubleshooting
Both rabbits and deer like to nibble dianthus foliage. In summer, spider mites cause occasional problems and can be controlled with insecticidal soap.
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