Maiden Pink Dianthus 'Golden Cross' (b)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Dianthus 'Golden Cross' is a type of carnation that showcases a delightful combination of colors and textures. It bears a profusion of flowers that exhibit charming hues, typically in a mix of pink, red, or white with contrasting patterns such as fringed petals or a dusting of darker flecks at the edges or centers. These blossoms emit a spicy, clove-like fragrance that is especially strong during the early morning and evening. The plant has narrow, pointed leaves that are a fresh green color, providing an attractive backdrop for the vividly colored flowers. The overall impression is that of a compact and floriferous plant, filled with an abundance of blooms that create a striking display of color and form.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Cheddar Pink, Clove Pink, Gillyflower
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Golden Cross'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Dianthus 'Golden Cross', commonly known as Carnation, generally is not considered toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, some individuals might have a sensitivity or allergic reaction to the plant if they come into contact with it. Ingesting parts of the plant is not typically associated with serious poisoning in humans, but it could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or stomach ache, especially if consumed in large quantities.
- To pets
  Carnation, the common name for Dianthus 'Golden Cross', is not considered highly toxic to pets. However, pets, like cats and dogs, might experience mild gastrointestinal distress if they ingest parts of this plant. Possible symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. In most cases, these symptoms are self-limiting. If a pet has consumed a large amount of the plant and is exhibiting more severe symptoms, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  0.5 feet (15 cm)
- Spread
  1 feet (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  Varies
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Blooms: Dianthus 'Golden Cross' features eye-catching flowers that can add a splash of color to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it can withstand dry conditions, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Compact Growth: Its growth habit is generally compact, which makes it ideal for small spaces or as a border plant.
- Long Blooming Season: It has a lengthy blooming period that extends from late spring into early fall, providing long-lasting visual interest.
- Cut Flower Use: The blooms of Dianthus 'Golden Cross' make excellent cut flowers for arrangements due to their beauty and longevity.
- Fragrance: The plant is known for its spicy fragrance, which can be a delightful addition to the garden or when used as cut flowers indoors.
- Low Maintenance: It typically requires minimal upkeep beyond occasional watering and deadheading to promote further blooming.
- Pest Resistance: Dianthus 'Golden Cross' is known to exhibit good resistance to many common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Cold Hardy: The plant shows resilience to cold temperatures, making it suitable for planting in a variety of climates.
- Attracts Pollinators: It can attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, aiding in the health of the garden ecosystem.
- Versatile Usage: Dianthus 'Golden Cross' can be used in rock gardens, container plantings, borders, and as ground cover, among other landscape applications.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Culinary Garnish: The petals of the Dianthus 'Golden Cross' can be used as a decorative, edible addition to salads or desserts.
- Art and Craft: The vibrant colors of the Dianthus 'Golden Cross' petals can be used in pressed flower projects or to make natural dyes for fabrics and papers.
- Aromatherapy: The fragrant flowers can be placed in a bowl of hot water to create a naturally soothing and aromatic environment.
- Bookmark Decoration: Dried petals can be laminated onto bookmarks as a unique and personal touch.
- Candle Making: The petals can be incorporated into the wax of homemade candles for an interesting, textured look and a subtle fragrance.
- Wedding Confetti: The petals of the Dianthus 'Golden Cross' can be dried and used as biodegradable confetti at weddings.
- Flower Arranging: They can be used in creative floral arrangements not only for their looks but also for their long-lasting qualities.
- Photography: The flowers can be used as subjects in macro photography, showcasing their intricate details.
- Homemade Potpourri: The petals, when dried, contribute a pleasant fragrance and are a colorful addition to homemade potpourri blends.
- Greeting Cards: Petals can be glued onto greeting cards for a 3D effect and to add a personal, floral touch.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Carnation is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Carnation is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Dianthus flowers are commonly associated with love due to their bright and vibrant colors, which can evoke strong feelings of passion and admiration.
- Boldness: The 'Golden Cross' variety, with its striking appearance, may represent courage and boldness, challenging the viewer to take notice.
- Devotion: The long-lasting nature of the blooms can symbolize commitment and an enduring pledge to someone special.
- Purity: The 'Golden Cross' Dianthus may also be symbolic of innocence and pure intentions, often connected to the white elements in its flowers.
- Affection: Just like many other flowers in the Dianthus family, this variety is often given as a sign of affection and can represent a deep, platonic friendship or budding romance.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For the Dianthus 'Golden Cross', commonly known as Golden Cross Carnation, it's crucial to water deeply but infrequently to encourage healthy root development. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to water approximately once a week, providing about one to one and a half gallons of water for outdoor plants, depending on the weather conditions and soil drainage. During hot or dry spells, you may need to water more frequently, while in cooler or rainy periods, less water will be required. Be sure to avoid overhead watering to prevent disease and instead aim at the base of the plant.
Light
Golden Cross Carnations thrive in a spot with full sun exposure for at least six hours a day, ensuring plenty of direct sunlight. They can tolerate partial shade, especially in regions with very hot summers, but too much shade can lead to sparse blooms and weak growth. The ideal location is where the plant is bathed in bright morning light and is protected from the intense late afternoon sun, which can sometimes be too harsh.
Temperature
Golden Cross Carnations prefer moderate temperatures and can survive in temperatures as low as 20°F for short periods. They grow best when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F and nighttime temperatures do not drop below 50°F. These plants can tolerate a maximum temperature of around 85°F, but prolonged heat can adversely affect their growth and flowering.
Pruning
Pruning Golden Cross Carnations is essential for promoting bushier growth and more abundant blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms and remove any yellowing or dead foliage. Perform a more substantial pruning in late winter or early spring, cutting back the stems to about 4-6 inches above the ground to help rejuvenate the plant for the coming season. Pruning is usually done annually or biannually, depending on the plant's growth rate and appearance.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
For Carnations, the best soil mix is light, well-draining with plenty of organic matter like compost or peat moss; the ideal pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline, between 6.7 and 7.5.
Repotting
Carnations should be repotted every 1-2 years; however, they prefer not to be disturbed often, so repot only when necessary.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations thrive in moderate humidity levels; they do well with natural ambient humidity and do not require any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect sunlight and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, protect from strong winds, water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Golden Cross', commonly known as Goldflame, begins its life cycle with germination, which occurs when conditions of moisture, temperature, and light are favorable. The seedling stage follows, where initial roots and shoots emerge, developing true leaves distinguishing it as a Goldflame plant. During the vegetative stage, the plant grows in size and strength, forming a sturdy stem and a rosette of leaves. Transitioning to the flowering stage, buds form and blossom into the characteristic pink, red, or white flowers with a frilled or serrated petal edge. After pollination, often by insects, the plant enters the fruiting stage, producing seed capsules that contain numerous small seeds. The plant may either die after setting seed, completing an annual cycle, or enter a period of dormancy to survive as a perennial through unfavorable seasons, resuming growth in the next favorable cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Dianthus 'Golden Cross', commonly known as pinks, is typically propagated through cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate pinks by cuttings, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 3 to 4-inch (about 7.5 to 10 cm) piece. Remove the lower leaves to expose the nodes where the roots will form. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Place the stem cutting in a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix, such as a combination of peat and perlite. Keep the soil moist and maintain a stable temperature, preferably around 70°F (21°C), until new growth indicates rooting, typically within a few weeks. Once rooted, the young plant can be gradually hardened off before being transplanted into the garden.