DIANTHUS CRUENTUS

Description

Clusters of deepest blood-red flowers are held on wiry stems above grassy foliage. Thriving in poor, well drained soil in full sun, this brilliant new perennial well-deserves its common name of "Blood Carnation". It looks wonderful planted amongst ornamental grasses, planted in gravel gardens or even planted in more wild effect gardens. And it is yet another great plant for attracting bees and butterflies into the garden, and if content will naturalise moderately. This new, rare and most-gorgeous, bone hardy, soundly perennial dark red Dianthus was used by Cleve West, to make a sensation when the Daily Telegraph garden won best in show at Chelsea 2011. Few seeds collected.

Sowing Advice

Seeds can be sown at any time but are best sown in winter or early spring to benefit from a cold spell in the wet compost to break their dormancy. We advise covering seeds very thinly with sand or fine grit to about the depth of the seed size. If the seeds do not come up within 6 to 12 weeks the damp seed tray can be given cold treatment in a fridge for about four weeks. They may still take very many months to appear, so please never discard the pot or tray.

Key Facts