About Dianthus Ideal
These old fashioned "Pinks" produce a wealth of flowers with a spicy fragrance. Their rich mix of colors includes carmine, crimson, deep violet, pink, raspberry, rose, violet, cherry, and violet picotee. Diantus Ideal bloom early and continuously all summer and withstand hot spells. These are very beautiful and carefree plants. Growing to about a foot high, they are great for the front of the border. Montana State University lists Dianthus as a deer resistant plant.
Dianthus Ideal
Planting and Growing Dianthus
Make sure your Dianthus “harden off” to cool nights and windy conditions before planting. This requires leaving them outside in a protected area for a few days otherwise, they may wilt after planting. Choose an area in the sun or a little part shade is okay. Prepare your planting hole by turning the soil at least a shovel size deep and wide and be sure the hole is filled with plenty of organic matter for best results. Remove your plant from its pack and gently loosen the root ball. Plant deep enough to cover the top of the root ball. Press down firmly on the soil and then water it in. Consider fertilizing once or twice a season. You can mulch if you like but not too close to the plant to avoid rot. Clip spent blooms for a continuous flush of flowers!
