Dianthus chinensis

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Plant
ID 190 Dianthus chinensis
Botanic Name Dianthus chinensis
Common Name Carnation, Indian Pink, Chinese Pink
Family Name Caryophyllaceae
Cultivars 'Baby doll','Bravo','Colorama','Giganteus','Magic Charm','Merry-go-round','Persian Carpet','Queen of Hearts','Snowflake'
Origin Europe, Asia, Africa, Zone 7-10
Growth Type Annual
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use High
No. of Species 300
Growth Habit Spreading-ascending Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.3 - 0.6 m (1 - 2 ft) Spread 0.3 m (1 ft)
Plant Overview
This cool season annual has a short and tufted habit with erect upright stems from the base. It has grey-green lanced-shaped leaves and the variable pink, red and lavender wheel-shaped flowers appear in a open cluster above the foliage during spring.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Lanceolate
The 80 mm (3 in) long sessile grey-green leaves are lanceolate to linear with an acute apex and the texture is smooth but not glossy.
Arrangement Opposite
Margin Entire
Colour Grey-green
Size 75 - 80 mm ( 3.0 - 3.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Fragrant Additional Information
Shape Rotate
The rotate flowers have an elongated calyx up to 25 mm (1 in) long and they are avalable in single and doubles with concentric rings in contrasting colour. They are arranged in a loose terminal panicle that appears above the foliage from late winter.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour White - pink - red
Size 50 - 60 mm ( 2.0 - 2.4 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Capsule Additional Information
Colour Brown
The small 4-valve cylindrical to oblong capsule contains numerous seeds up to 900 per gram. Cultivars are normally propagated vegetatively to maintain true to type.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, moderately fertile moist sandy loam, pH 6.0-7.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes
Climate Temperate
Aspect Full sun, wind protection when young, drought and frost tender
Pest & Diseases Aphids, slugs, red spider mites, rust, fusarium wilt, fuller's rose weevil
Fertiliser Monthly application of complete fertiliser several weeks after planting, keep moist
Pruning After flowering, may be forced to flower again, usualy poor, remove spent flowers
Cultural Uses Propagation
Carnations and its cultivars are grown for their variable flowers and are used as annuals or biennials. They are mass planted for bedding displays in parks and large gardens or used along borders and in rockeries in small or cottage gardens.
Sow seeds thinly in boxes or beds in late summer to autumn and cover with 5 mm (1/5 in) of sieved soil. Pricked out when 10 mm (2/5 in) tall and plant out or pot up. It takes 3 to 4 months from seed to flower.
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