The usually two-year-old bearded carnations are very easy to care for and also like to sow themselves. Once planted, you can enjoy these lush summer flowers for a long time. They are ideal as cut flowers or for planting in a classic cottage garden.
How do I care for bearded carnations properly?
Bearded carnations are easy to care for and hardy. Plant them in a sunny location, water them regularly, fertilize them once a month and protect young plants in winter. Prune after flowering for a second period of flowering and remove diseased parts of the plant if necessary.
Planting cloves
Carnations are easy to grow from seeds, so you don't necessarily have to buy young plants. Both home-grown and purchased bearded cloves should be planted by October at the latest so that they grow well and become resilient before winter. Although they tolerate partial shade, they need a sunny location to bloom beautifully.
Watering and fertilizing cloves
If you cultivate your bearded cloves in a planter, you should water them regularly. However, if they are outdoors, watering is only necessary on hot days. About once a month, add liquid fertilizer (€12.00 on Amazon) to the irrigation water; your bearded cloves don't need any more fertilizer.
Cutting carnations
You only need to cut bearded carnations if you want to use them for bouquets; these plants do not require pruning. However, you can encourage a second bloom. In this case, cut your bearded cloves just above the ground after the first flowering.
Diseases and pests
The bearded carnation is not very often attacked by diseases or pests. Snails avoid these plants. However, they collapse easily when waterlogged, especially in winter. Rust fungi also occasionally occur on the carnation. Remove the affected parts of the plant immediately, because if the infestation is severe you would need to use an anti-fungal agent.
Carnations in winter
The carnation is winter hardy, only young plants and carnations in planters need protection from the cold. However, one in frost-free interiors is more harmful than useful for the bearded carnation. It is better to cover bedding plants with leaves or brushwood and wrap planters with a warming fleece or an old blanket.
The most important things in brief:
- easy care
- hardy
- robust
- full sunny location
- two-year-old
- self-seed
- fertilize once a month
Tip
The sunnier the location, the more beautifully the bearded carnations bloom. You can support the flowering a little more with a monthly fertilizer application.
