Clove Pink Carnation, the florist’s carnation

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Fragrant flowers on long, rigid stems, in shades running from white to red with some in purple or yellow: the clove pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) is the florist’s carnation, as much at home in a bouquet as in a flower bed or a garden box. Give it sun and ordinary well-drained soil, and it blooms abundantly all summer.

This is a very beautiful annual flower that blooms abundantly all summer long.

Planting, sowing clove pink

How to sow clove pink

Clove pink can be sown as early as February, even a bit earlier for regions that are more in the South.

It adapts well to most soil and climate types and likes being in the sun.

• You may proceed to sow under shelter starting from the month of February.
• Don’t cover the seeds, they need light to trigger their germinating.
• They germinate at 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C).
• Sprouting should take 1 or 2 weeks.
• Transplant your clove pink once in nursery pots before putting them in place during the month of May, after any risk of freezing has disappeared.
• You may sow directly in the ground starting in April or May if the climate in your area permits.

Summer sowing of clove pink

It is also possible to sow clove pink in summer in pots, with the plan to transplant them early in the following spring, and you’ll have early flowering that way.

• Sowing is in August and September, in a nursery.
• Use the same seed sowing technique as described above.
• Overwinter in a sheltered place.
• Set in place in spring, towards March or April, depending on the region.

Note that clove pink prefers sunny spots to flower well.

Caring for clove pink

Very little care is required for clove pink, but a few good practices will help enhance and extend the blooming.

• To stimulate appearance of new flowers, cut wilted flowers regularly (deadheading).
• Water in case of prolonged dry spells or heat wave only.

Note that if your clove pink is planted in a garden box and that you have an unheated greenhouse, bring them in before the first frost spells hit and they will bloom during winter.

They also often bloom in winter in areas where the cold is mild, like the Mediterranean climate.

All there is to know about clove pink

Clove pink is much loved for its amazing flower-bearing capacities, its fragrant flowers and its many different colors that range from white to red with some flowering in purple or yellow.

An annual plant just like China pink or sweet William, it is part of the large carnation family.

It is often found in flower shops since its long, rigid stems make it easy to add to bouquets.

But first and foremost, it is found in our gardens, flower beds and garden boxes because it is very ornamental and offers a wide range of possible colors.