Deptford pink
Dianthus armeria · Caryophyllaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant deptford pink: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, narrow and grey-green
- Flowering
- June to September, pink to deep red-purple flowers
- Adult size
- 12 to 24 inches tall × 8 to 12 inches wide
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (−15 °C and below)
- Origin
- Southern and Eastern Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, chalky, low fertility
Care
Sunlight
Plant your hairy carnation in full sun for abundant blooms and intense colors. It tolerates light shade but will flower less densely. Choose an airy spot to limit stagnant moisture.
Watering
Water moderately and let the soil dry between waterings, as this plant dislikes excess moisture. During hot spells, keep the soil slightly moist without waterlogging. Reduce watering in fall and winter.
Soil Preparation
Prepare very well-drained soil enriched with sand or gravel to prevent compaction. The hairy carnation prefers chalky or neutral soils, poor to moderately fertile. A slight slope or raised bed promotes water drainage.
Fertilizing
Fertilizer is optional on reasonably fertile soil. On very poor soil, apply balanced diluted fertilizer in spring. Avoid excess feeding, which encourages foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and Maintenance
Pinch young plants to encourage branching and more compact growth. Remove spent flowers regularly to extend blooming. An autumn cleanup of dry stems is sufficient.
Diseases and Pests
The hairy carnation is generally robust. Watch for crown rot and root rot in case of excessive moisture: improve drainage and aerate the base. Aphids may occasionally attack in early season.
Did you know?
The hairy carnation gets its scientific name 'armeria' from the small hairy bracts surrounding the base of the flowers, making them rough to the touch. Traditionally used in Central Europe as a hardy ornamental in rock gardens, it evokes the robustness of the mountains where it was born.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Smooth rupturewortHerniaria glabra
- Rock soapwortSaponaria ocymoides
- Snow-in-summerCerastium tomentosum
- Sticky CatchflyViscaria vulgaris
- Creeping baby's breathGypsophila repens
- Mountain sandwortArenaria montana
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.