Sweet William Dianthus 'Chesswood Beryl James' (b)

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
border carnation 'Chesswood Beryl James'

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Chesswood Beryl James' is characterized by its striking flowers and foliage that make it a visually appealing plant. The flowers of this cultivar typically showcase a vibrant pink hue with distinctively frilled edges that add a touch of elegance and texture to the bloom. Each flower is composed of five petals that often have a lighter or darker eye in the center, creating a stunning contrast that draws attention. The petals may also exhibit subtle variations in color shades, adding to the overall beauty of the flower. In the middle of the bloom, the stamens, which carry the pollen, protrude gracefully, surrounded by the petals. The foliage of the plant consists of slender, elongated leaves that are a fresh, green color. These leaves generally form a dense clump, creating a lush undergrowth which sets off the flowers when they are on display. The leaves may have a glaucous or blue-green appearance, depending on lighting conditions, and they sometimes feature a fine, grayish-white coating that contributes to the plant's overall texture and visual interest. Overall, the appearance of Dianthus 'Chesswood Beryl James' is marked by its vibrant, colorful flowers and its compact, tidy foliage, which together create an attractive display well-suited to garden borders, rockeries, or as a part of a floral arrangement.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Caryophyllaceae

    • Synonyms

      Sweet William, Pinks

    • Common names

      Dianthus 'Chesswood Beryl James'

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      Dianthus, commonly known as 'pinks' or 'carnations', is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, if parts of the Dianthus 'Chesswood Beryl James' are ingested in large quantities, they may potentially cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort, including symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is always best practice to avoid eating ornamental plants and to keep them out of reach of young children who may inadvertently ingest them.

    • To pets

      Dianthus, commonly known as 'pinks' or 'carnations', is generally considered non-toxic to pets. There is no well-documented evidence of severe poisoning in pets like dogs and cats from consuming this plant. However, ingestion of plant material can sometimes lead to mild gastrointestinal upset in some pets, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. If a pet consumes a large amount of the plant and exhibits unusual behavior or symptoms, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Evergreen

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      Varies

    • Height

      1 foot (0.3 meters)

    • Spread

      1 foot (0.3 meters)

    • Plant type

      Herb

    • Hardiness zones

      Varies

    • Native area

      Varies

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Aesthetic Appeal: Offers vibrant flowers and enhances visual interest in gardens or landscapes.
    • Ease of Care: Relatively low-maintenance, suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
    • Drought Tolerance: Can survive with minimal watering, making it suitable for dry climates.
    • Cold Hardiness: Tolerates cold temperatures well, expanding its range of suitable growing zones.
    • Long Blooming Season: Provides flowers for an extended period, often from late spring to early fall.
    • Attracts Pollinators: Blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting local ecosystems.
    • Versatility: Suitable for borders, rock gardens, and containers, offering various landscaping options.
    • Perennial Growth: Comes back year after year, providing long-term value in the garden.
    • Ground Cover: Dense foliage can help suppress weeds and cover bare spots in garden beds.
    • Cut Flowers: Suitable for cutting and using in floral arrangements due to their beauty and durability.
    • Deer Resistance: Less likely to be eaten by deer, reducing the need for protective measures in the garden.
    • Compact Size: Ideal for small gardens or spaces where compact growth is required.
    • Fragrance: Flowers often have a pleasant scent, adding another layer of enjoyment to the garden or home when used as cut flowers.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Dried Flower Arrangements: The carnation can be dried and used in floral arrangements where it retains its color and shape, providing a lasting decoration.
    • Natural Dye: Petals of the carnation can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, giving them a gentle pink hue.
    • Artistic Inspiration: The vibrant colors and patterns of the carnation can serve as an inspiration for artists and craftspeople in their work.
    • Perfumery: Carnations can be used in perfumery for their spicy clove-like fragrance, and are sometimes incorporated into potpourri mixes.
    • Garden Borders: Carnations can be planted along the edges of garden beds to provide defined, colorful borders that enhance the garden's aesthetic.
    • Culinary Garnish: Edible varieties of carnations can be used to add a splash of color and mild clove-like flavor to desserts or cocktails as a garnish.
    • Photography: Carnations, with their vivid colors and layered petals, make excellent subjects for photographers, especially macro photography enthusiasts.
    • Wedding Decor: Due to their symbol of love and distinction, carnations are often used in wedding bouquets, centerpieces, and venue decorations.
    • Companion Planting: Carnations can be planted alongside vegetables as a companion plant to help deter pests with their clove-scented foliage.
    • Crafting: The robust petals of carnations can be used in crafting, for making paper flowers or embellishing handmade cards and scrapbooks.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Carnation is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Carnation is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Love and Admiration: Dianthus flowers, commonly known as "pinks," are traditionally associated with love and admiration, making them a frequent gift between loved ones to express deep affectionate feelings.
    • Boldness: The vibrant and varied colors of Dianthus can symbolize boldness and daring, reflecting the flower's ability to stand out in a garden with its striking hues.
    • Purety: The name 'Dianthus' is derived from the Greek words 'dios' (god) and 'anthos' (flower), often translating to 'divine flower,' which carries connotations of purity and heavenly grace.
    • Longevity and Good Health: Due to their hardiness and longevity, Dianthus flowers can also symbolize a long life and good health, metaphorically wishing the receiver resilience and well-being.

💧
Every week to ten days
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
40%
Humidity
🪴
Every year to 18 months
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning
  • water dropWater

    Sweet William should be watered deeply to ensure the roots receive adequate moisture, typically amounting to 1 inch of water per week. During particularly dry spells, this may increase to twice per week. It's crucial to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent waterlogging, as they prefer well-drained conditions. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so be mindful not to saturate the soil. It is best to water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and allow any moisture on the foliage to dry during the day.

  • sunLight

    Sweet William thrives in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and blooming. Place them in a spot where they can receive ample sunshine while being protected from intense afternoon heat, which can stress the plants. Morning sun with some afternoon shade would be an ideal condition in hotter climates.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Sweet William prefers cooler temperatures and can usually withstand a range of temperatures from 40°F to 80°F. They generally perform best when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F and can survive slightly frosty conditions since they are hardy. It is important to protect the plant from extreme cold below 40°F, as it may not survive severe frost without protection.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning Sweet William is important to promote bushier growth and enhance flowering. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages the plant to produce more blooms. Pruning should be done after the initial blooming period, typically in late spring or early summer. Cut back the stems to just above a set of leaves to stimulate a second flush of flowers.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Carnations like a well-draining, fertile soil with good aeration, ideally a mix of loam, compost, and sand or perlite. A slightly alkaline pH of 6.7 to 7.5 is optimal for these flowers.

  • plantRepotting

    Carnations usually do not require frequent repotting and can often thrive in the same pot for several years. It is typically sufficient to repot every 2-3 years, or when you see that the soil has degraded or the plant has outgrown its current pot.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Carnations prefer moderate humidity levels but are quite adaptable. Avoid excessively high humidity to prevent disease, a range of 40-60% is generally adequate for healthy growth.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Provide well-drained soil, bright indirect light, and cool temperatures.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade, protect from extreme heat.

    • Hardiness zone

      3-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Dianthus 'Chesswood Beryl James,' commonly known as Pinks, begins its life as a seed, typically germinating in spring when temperatures warm. Upon sprouting, the seedling develops a root system and vegetative structures such as leaves, and with sufficient light, water, and nutrients, it grows into a mature plant. The mature Pinks then produce distinctive, fragrant flowers in late spring to early summer, which are often pink, red, or white. After pollination, often by insects, these flowers will produce seeds, thus completing the sexual phase of the plant's lifecycle. As the growing season ends, if it is a perennial variety, the plant may go dormant, surviving the winter before resuming growth in the spring. Propagation by cuttings can also occur during the growing season, representing the asexual phase and leading to genetically identical offspring.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Summer

    • Dianthus 'Chesswood Beryl James', commonly known as Pink, is typically propagated in the spring through the division of its clumps. To propagate, gardeners should carefully dig up the mature plant and gently separate it into smaller clumps, ensuring that each piece has a section of the root system. These divisions can then be replanted into well-preparing soil, spaced appropriately to allow for the spread of the new plants. This method is simple and effective, allowing for the new plants to establish themselves during the growing season and develop into blooming specimens. It's important for the divisions to be kept well-watered, especially during their first season in the ground, to support robust growth.