Dianthus 'CAN CAN'

Garden pinks (carnations) are lovely perennials that will enrich every summer flowering border. Can Can is a dwarf variety with bright red flowers of a shape that looks almost identical to cut carnations and the flower heads are about half the size i.e. 5-6 cm. They have a typical perfume, a little less strong then cut carnations. The plants grow approximately 30 cm tall.

This is a low-maintenance plant, however, if you would like a few tips on how to produce a perfect plant here they are:

1. Location: carnation in the wild is found on dry and sunny locations such as sunny slopes so find it a similar spot in your garden. It needs constant air movement to prevent from fungi diseases that thrive in damp and shaded sites.

2. Watering: keep the soil moist before it establishes. Water preferably in the morning so that all excess water dries out before the evening and very little or none remains at the soil surface during the night (apart from dew, obviously).

3. Soil: it likes neutral pH (around 7) but will grow in slightly higher or lower on either side. Make sure the drainage is sharp. Unless you have such soil grow it in a raised bed. All water will disappear to sides and it will look even nicer.

4. Fertilizing: A classic slow-release fertilizer with balanced composition of NPK (1:1:1) will be ideal. Once it starts making flower stems you may change it to a liquid feed high in potassium for stronger stems. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are not recommended from early summer onwards.

5. Flower encouraging: if you are looking for as many flowers as possible you can pinch the stems in the spring when they have 8-9 new leaflets to remain with 5-6 leaflets only. The plant will start flowers a little later but more profusely. If you wish to have as large flowers as possible reduce the number of buds per stem to half or less.

If you find that the plant is getting weaker after a few years on the site reproduce it by cuttings or divide the clump. Carnations do not like mulching that keeps moisture at the roots. Fully hardy to about -40°C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 24-07-2010