Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus
Also comes in red, white, yellow and purple.
Carnation blooms from June through August.
This entry comes from our curated library and has not yet been independently checked against outside sources. Curated is not unreliable: a standing audit keeps every entry internally consistent, and the source-by-source check is working through the whole library in the open.
Growing Carnation
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 5–9. Expect it to reach about 1.6 ft tall and 12 in wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Carnation
Plant Carnation in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 5 to 9 range, spring means March to May and fall means September or October. Once settled, it blooms from June to August.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 7 in March.
Good to know about Carnation
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
Mildly toxic to dogs, cats and horses: eating it causes mild stomach upset, and the sap can cause mild skin irritation. per ASPCA and NC State
Worth knowing
What shortens a carnation's life is summer heat, not winter cold. Where summers are hot it declines and is grown as an annual; cool summers keep it perennial. per NC State and Missouri Botanical Garden
Height splits by type
Border garden carnations reach about 0.4 m (16 in); the tall florist types grown for cut flowers reach 0.9 to 1.2 m (3 to 4 ft). per NC State and Missouri Botanical Garden
Signature clove scent
The spicy clove scent is the group's signature. Ruffled semi-double to double blooms sit on stiff stems above narrow, waxy, blue-green foliage. per NC State
Sharp drainage fights disease
The wet conditions that cause crown and root rot also drive rust, leaf spot, and Botrytis. Sharp drainage and dry leaves fight all of them. per NC State and Penn State
Petals are edible
NC State lists the flowers as edible for people, a traditional flavoring and garnish. This does not make the plant safe for pets. per NC State
Deer and rabbit resistant
Reported deer and rabbit resistant: the aromatic, bitter foliage is not favored by browsers once plants are established. per NC State and Wisconsin
What pairs well with Carnation
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Aster
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early fall as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Perennial Sunflower
Shares full sun and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; both offer pollinator forage.
Rock Cress
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 4 in, for the front of the border.
Flowering Crabapple
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; echoes the pink.
Rosemary
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Viburnum
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; taller at 6.6 ft, for the layer behind it; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Lilac
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; taller at 9.8 ft, for the layer behind it; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Autumn Crocus
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early fall as this one finishes; lower at 6 in, for the front of the border; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
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