Heather cloves are wild beauties that grow in special locations throughout Europe. They are perfect for cultivation in the garden because their robust and easy-care properties do not require any horticultural expertise. However, you should know some of the special features of this delicate plant.
What is the heather carnation and in which habitat does it grow?
The heath carnation (Dianthus deltoides) is a robust, easy-care wild plant that grows throughout Europe. It prefers full sun locations with permeable, nutrient-poor substrate and is ideal for rock gardens, dry stone walls and embankments. Its purple flowers appear between June and September.
Origin
The heather carnation with the Latin name Dianthus deltoides belongs to the carnation family. Their distribution area extends across Europe to western Siberia and the Yenisei. The species does not occur naturally outside of these habitats. In Argentina, North America and New Zealand, the heath carnation went wild from planted stocks. She avoids surfaces with high lime content.
The heather carnation grows in these habitats:
- dry sand and silicate lean grass
- ruderal meadows
- in flat and hilly areas
Growth
Heather carnations are herbaceous plants that overwinter with their above-ground runners creeping low over the ground. They give rise to creeping stems that branch at the base and then rise up. As a result, the tender and short hairy stems develop a lawn-like growth habit. Heather carnations grow between ten and 40 centimeters high.
leaves
The leaves are opposite in pairs on the stem. Their surface is gray-green in color and densely hairy. The leaf blade is narrow and reaches a length of up to 2.5 centimeters. When flowerless, the plant is easily confused with a grass.
Bloom
Dianthus deltoides bears terminal flowers composed of five purple petals. The petals are frayed at the edge. Near the center of the flower they have white speckles and a dark mark that resembles the shape of a triangle. This special pattern earned the plants their botanical species name “deltoides”. The flowers appear singly or in clusters in panicle-shaped inflorescences. They are hermaphrodite, purely male or female.
Flowering time
Between June and September, the flowers of the heather carnations shine. They open their flowers in the morning and close them in the evening. The pollinators mainly included butterflies, which are impressed by the color of the flowers. Heather cloves exude a subtle scent that is noticeable by some people.
Fruit
Heather cloves develop capsule fruits that dry out when ripe and release numerous seeds. As cold germinators, seeds require low temperatures to stimulate germination.
Usage
The heather carnation feels particularly comfortable in gardens with stone and gravel. Their flowers add a colorful accent to heather gardens. The herbaceous plants decorate south-facing embankments, niches on dry stone walls or similar habitats in the natural garden. They are suitable for planters and can be cultivated on roof gardens, balconies and terraces.
Matching plant neighbors:
- Red bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris)
- Common winged broom (Genista sagittalis)
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Cushion bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana)
Edible
Heather carnation flowers are edible and can be used as decoration for savory salads and sweet fruit salads. They garnish desserts and refine fruity punches with their sweet aroma.
Which location is suitable?
Dianthus deltoides grows in full sun locations with dry conditions. The plants find optimal growth conditions on stony surfaces because the stones store heat. Heather carnations bloom more luxuriantly the warmer and more open the place where they grow is.read more
What soil does the plant need?
The native perennial prefers a well-drained substrate in which waterlogging does not form. The pH value is ideally in the acidic range. It is considered to have low lime tolerance. Their growth is severely restricted on calcareous substrates. As a typical species on poor sites, the heather carnation copes well with nutrient-poor soils.
Propagate heather carnation
Dividing the stocks is not recommended as the sensitive wild perennial grows poorly after the measure. You can propagate heather carnations by seeds or cuttings.
Sowing
A cold stimulus promotes germination. If you collect capsule fruits from your plants in the fall, store the seeds in a cool, dry place until next spring. You can grow the seeds on the windowsill in the mini greenhouse (€31.00 on Amazon) as early as February. Use nutrient-poor potting soil or cocohum. From April onwards the seeds are sown directly in the bed. Scatter the seeds thinly on the substrate, as the young plants will quickly expand in all directions.
What you need to know about cocohum:
- consists of coconut fibers
- is offered in pressed briquette form
- Presslings are soaked in water before sowing
- good water storage
- ideal ventilation
Cuttings
To propagate from cuttings, cut off flowerless shoots from a plant close to the ground. You can take cuttings until summer. Remove the lower leaves and put the shoots in potting soil.
What is the best time to plant?
The ideal time to release the young plants is from May. You can also plant heather carnations in the bed earlier if there is no risk of night frosts.
The correct planting distance
Plant heather carnations in small groups to create a beautiful long-distance effect. A distance of at least 15 centimeters from each other is ideal. For large-scale plantings, you can distribute around 16 plants per square meter. Humus and nutrient-rich soils should be thinned out with sand or gravel before planting.
Heather clove in pot
As an undemanding plant, Dianthus deltoides can easily be cultivated in pots. Place a single plant in a container or tub. You can use discarded planters that can no longer be used for perennials that require more water due to damage. Make sure there is sufficient drainage.
Within the next one or two years, the heather carnation and its runners have completely spread throughout the bucket, so that any breaks or blemishes quickly become invisible. If you place the container in a sunny and warm location, you can enjoy a longer flowering period.
Balcony
Heather carnations thrive on south-facing balconies. Small biotopes can be created using native wild perennials and other herbaceous plants that are typical of poor grasslands. Plant Dianthus deltoides among thyme, field bellflower and round-leaved bellflower, orange hawkweed and corn wheel. The arrangement not only offers sensual pleasures to the eye, but also increases the variety of bees, butterflies and birds on your balcony.
Watering heather carnation
Heather carnations have low water requirements. Their grass-like leaves evaporate little water because they have a reduced leaf blade and are additionally protected by a wax layer. Only water the plants during very long dry periods when growth stagnates. The leaves turn yellow quickly when they get water. Flowers rot easily due to too much moisture. Only give heather cloves water in the root area.
Fertilize heather carnation properly
Fertilizer applications are not necessary as heath carnations have specialized in poor locations. If additional nutrient supply is necessary, you should use fertilizer sparingly.
Cut heather carnation correctly
Heather cloves do not need to be cut. Regularly remove dead shoots and wilted inflorescences to encourage the plant to produce new flowers. The perennials are short-lived and ensure their survival through self-sowing. Allow some flowers to mature into fruit so that the seeds can go to seed.
How do I transplant correctly?
Since the heather carnation reacts sensitively to disturbances in the habitat, established stocks should not be transplanted. If the wild perennials need a new place, you should rejuvenate the stock using cuttings and plant them in the new location. Potted plants don't have to be moved either. The root system of the carnation plants remains compact, so one planter is sufficient for many years.
hardy
Dianthus deltoides is hardy and does not require protection in the cold season. The above-ground creeping shoots are protected by the snow cover. You should avoid mulching, as this measure leads to moist substrate conditions. The plant does not survive waterlogging in winter.
Overwintering potted plants
Potted plants are more susceptible to frost because the substrate freezes quickly. Protect the bucket with fleece or jute bags and place it on a wooden board. Place the container in a place protected from the weather so that rainwater or snow does not collect in the pot. On frost-free and sunny days, the plants are watered moderately.read more
Fungal infestation
Suboptimal site conditions lead to the spread of various fungal spores. In places that are too shady, there is a humid microclimate where gray mold and downy mildew find good growing conditions. When planting, make sure that the place where it grows is warm and dry.
Pests
Heather carnations are robust plants. As a native species, Dianthus deltoides is rarely attacked by pests.
Aphids
Aphids occasionally become a problem, leaving sticky secretions on the leaves. Rust fungus spores find optimal growth conditions on this honeydew. The pests prefer to spread on the freshly sprouting stems and can be wiped off with a damp cloth.
Snails
In spring, the fresh shoots become a feast for snails. You can use sharp-edged stones to place obstacles in the way of the voracious guests. The roasted aroma of old coffee grounds is off-putting. Snails like moist and shady conditions. In an open and light-flooded location, heath carnations become unattractive to the molluscs.
Heiden carnation is not blooming
Young plants need time to grow and bloom sparsely or not at all in the first two years. From the third year onwards, the perennials develop their full blooms.
Tip
Heather carnations are offered in different colors. Combine different varieties in a large bucket and enjoy the fireworks of colors.
Varieties
- Leuchtfunk: Green foliage with brownish nuances. Velvety flowers in dark red, from June to August. Between five and 15 centimeters high.
- Nelli: Bright red flowers with light spots and a dark ring, blooms from June to September. Grows between ten and 40 centimeters high.
- Brilliant: Fast-growing perennial. Scarlet flowers with dark ring, blooming between summer and autumn. Reaches heights of up to 15 centimeters.
- Albus: Cushion to clump-shaped perennial. Flowers are simply designed and white in color with a light scent, from June to July. Up to 20 centimeters high.
