annual dianthus, annual pinks

Annual Dianthus is the non-hardy cousin to perennial Carnations, Cottage Pinks, and the biennial Sweet William. They grow in compact, carpet-like mounds covered in slightly fragrant, single to double disk-like flowers in shades of red, pink, white and bicolor. They are an excellent bedding plant for cool, sunny areas and containers. The have the potential to reseed in the garden, and prefer soil to be neutral to slightly basic pH.

Grow in sunny areas, well-drained, neutral to slightly basic amended soil. Feed with a slow release fertilizer, Osmocote® or Plant-tone®. Follow label instructions. Deadhead as needed to maintain tidy habit and better blooming. Mulch 2″ to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect against extremes of soil temperature.