When carnations bloom depends, among other things, on the varieties. However, there are also other influences on the flowering period. You can find out what is important here.
In a nutshell
- extremely long flowering period
- more than 27,000 species of carnations known
- Carnations bloom very early in the year
- Trimmings can prolong flowering
- Variety of types offers the right thing for every need
Annual or perennial
An important difference between the different carnation varieties is the lifespan. Annual species are usually not hardy, but can bloom again every year in tub culture with suitable overwintering. Outdoors, however, they only beautify the garden for one season.
Tip: An alternative is to put the plants in a pot in the beds. In this way, they can be easily removed and overwintered frost-free.
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Carnations generally have a very long flowering period. It can extend from May or June to the beginning of autumn. In addition, they are very floriferous and are therefore a lush eye-catcher. When and how long the flowering period is depends mainly on the respective variety - other factors also play a role.
These are:
- climate
- maintenance
- location
Tip: The warmer and more protected the plants are, the earlier the plants will bloom. Sufficient water and fertilizer as well as a suitable substrate also ensure that flowering begins earlier and can last longer.
biodiversity
With more than 27,000 species and other cultivated forms, carnations are particularly versatile. They are found in numerous colors and can even be multicolored. In addition, varieties with single and double flowers are offered. The fragrant flowering plant can therefore beautify the balcony and terrace as well as the garden.
carnation
The carnation has the scientific name Dianthus caryophyllus, but is also known as the country carnation. It has a long flowering period from April to September or even October. In addition to the large variety of breeds, it has the advantage of being hardy.
Source: Photo by David J. Stang, Dianthus caryophyllus CFPC Malea 1zz, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
However, this only applies if it is planted directly in spring in a sheltered location outdoors. In buckets or pots, on the other hand, protection is required because the root ball must not freeze completely.
Popular varieties include:
- Etincelant
- magenta
- moon dust
- Margarita
- Picotee Fantasy
The plants reach heights of 30 to 70 centimeters and are available in many different colors on the market.
Chinese carnation
Dianthus chinensis, also known as Kaiser carnation, is an annual plant. The petals are usually slightly fringed at the edges and can come in a wide variety of colors. They bloom from about June to September.
Source: 阿橋 HQ, 石竹 Dianthus chinensis Raspberry Parfait -香港馬灣公園 Ma Wan Park, Hong Kong- (9255188056), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tip: Early pruning can extend the flowering period of the carnation. The measure is simple and involves little effort.
Sweet William
The brightly colored Sweet William is known in botanical jargon as Dianthus barbatus. They are divided into annual and biennial variants. The annual cultivated forms in particular are fast-growing and bloom comparatively early in the year. They include, among others:
- Black Adder
- Bode pride
- Rapid
- Red Impress
Biennial variants and cultivated forms of the Sweet William include, for example:
- homeland
- Indian carpet
- pink beauty
The growth heights range from 25 to 60 centimeters and they have a wide variety of colors.
More species
Although the species and cultivated forms mentioned are particularly popular and widespread variants, there are also other forms. These include, for example:
- Carthusian Carnation - Dianthus carthusianorum
- Pink Pink - Dianthus deltoides
- Plumeria - Dianthus plumarius
- Bush carnation - Dianthus seguien
- Carnation - Dianthus superbus
Flowering time and duration is comparatively similar for all these carnations. However, they differ in terms of winter hardiness, maintenance requirements and suitability for outdoor use.
frequently asked Questions
Is cutting necessary for cloves?In order to extend the flowering period, the withered flowers should be removed as soon as possible. This simple measure can stimulate bud formation.
Can carnation varieties be combined with each other?Yes, there are even corresponding seed mixtures on the market. In addition, different species can be planted next to each other, which have different growth heights. This creates an attractive picture on the bed or in the bucket.
Why isn't the carnation blooming?There can be numerous reasons responsible for this. These include, for example, that the wrong location was chosen or that the care is wrong.