Carnation Dianthus 'Maisie Neal' (b)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Dianthus 'Maisie Neal' is a charming plant known for its distinctive flowers and lush foliage. This variety of Dianthus, commonly known as pink, carnation, or sweet william, depending on the specific type, typically boasts a stunning display of flowers that are an attractive feature in any garden setting. Floral character: The blooms of 'Maisie Neal' are particularly notable for their color and form. They exude an exquisite harmony of pink shades, and may exhibit a range of variations from soft pastel tones to more vivid hues. The petals display a frilly or serrated edge, which adds to the flower's ornate appearance, and some may exhibit a subtle, beautiful pattern that captures the eye. The blossoms often form a dense cluster that creates an impactful visual display. Foliage: Complementing the striking blooms are the leaves of 'Maisie Neal,' which present a lush backdrop to the flowers. The leaves are typically slender, with a linear to lance-shaped silhouette, offering a texture that contrasts pleasingly with the delicate petals. The foliage tends to be a rich green, providing an excellent foil for the colorful blossoms above. Overall, the Dianthus 'Maisie Neal' presents a feast for the senses with its visually delightful flowers and fresh green leaves, contributing both color and fragrance to gardens.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Maisie Neal Carnation, Maisie Neal Pink
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Maisie Neal'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The common name for Dianthus 'Maisie Neal' is carnation. Carnations are not considered toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant is unlikely to cause poisoning or severe adverse effects. However, individuals may have varying sensitivities to plants, and consuming any non-food plants can potentially cause mild stomach upset or an allergic reaction in some people.
- To pets
  Carnations are generally considered to be mildly toxic to pets, including cats and dogs. If a pet ingests part of the carnation plant, they may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. While these symptoms can be uncomfortable for the animal, carnations are not known to cause severe poisoning. However, pet owners should always monitor their pets for any adverse reactions and consult with a veterinarian if any concerning symptoms arise after ingestion.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot 6 inches (46 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: D. 'Maisie Neal' blooms with vibrant, colorful flowers, which add aesthetic value to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, the plant exhibits good resistance to periods of low water availability, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Long Blooming Season: It has a long flowering period, providing a consistent display of blooms throughout the season.
- Low Maintenance: This plant typically requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Pest Resistance: It's often resistant to many common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a pleasant scent, which can enhance the sensory experience of a garden or outdoor area.
- Edging and Borders: With its compact size and tidy growth habit, D. 'Maisie Neal' is well-suited for use in borders and edging.
- Attracts Pollinators: The blooms attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for gardens and the environment.
- Versatility: It can be used in various garden styles, including cottage gardens, rock gardens, and formal beds.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers, allowing you to bring the beauty of your garden indoors.
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 Carnations like the Dianthus 'Maisie Neal' variety are edible and can be used to add a splash of color to salads or to decorate desserts.
- Artistic dye: Carnation petals can be used to make a natural dye for fabrics or paper, giving them a unique and subtle hue.
- Signature cocktails: Petals from Carnations can be infused into syrups or liquors to create signature cocktails with floral notes.
- Natural pest repellents: Carnations have a natural fragrance that can repel certain pests in the garden, making them a good companion plant.
- Aromatherapy: The fragrance from Carnation blooms is said to be uplifting and can be used in aromatherapy practices.
- Cake decoration: Fresh Carnation petals can be used to decorate cakes and other confections for an elegant touch.
- Bookmark creation: Dried Carnation petals can be used to create beautiful and natural bookmarks.
- Fragrant potpourri: Dried Carnation petals can be combined with other dried flowers and spices to make a fragrant potpourri for the home.
- Photography prop: The striking colors of the Carnation can be used in photography, providing a vivid backdrop or subject for still life photos.
- Handmade paper: Incorporating small pieces of Carnation petals into paper pulp can result in beautifully textured and colored handmade papers.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Carnation is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Carnation is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Dianthus, commonly known as carnations or pinks, traditionally symbolize love and fascination. The 'Maisie Neal' variety, with its attractive flowers, can convey feelings of affection.
- Distinction: The name 'Dianthus' is derived from Greek 'dios' (god) and 'anthos' (flower), implying a divine or noble flower. This suggests the 'Maisie Neal' variety symbolizes excellence or high esteem.
- Gratitude: Carnations are often given as a sign of thanks. Gifting Dianthus 'Maisie Neal' may be a way to express gratitude or appreciation in a floral form.
- Pure Love: White variations of Dianthus could represent pure love and good luck, indicating that the 'Maisie Neal' could be seen as a blessing in relationships or matrimonial harmony.
- Mother's Love: Carnations are famously used to honor mothers, especially on Mother's Day. The 'Maisie Neal' could be used to symbolize the undying love of a mother.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to early summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Carnations require regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. During the active growing season in spring and summer, water the plants thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which might be about once or twice a week, depending on climate conditions. You can use about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for a mature plant each time you water. Reduce watering in the fall and winter when the plant is not actively growing. Ensuring good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Light
Carnations thrive in full sunlight, where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for these plants is in a south-facing garden bed or against a south-facing wall that reflects additional light. Too little light can lead to weak, leggy plants and a reduction in flowering.
Temperature
Carnations prefer cooler temperatures and do well in a range with a maximum of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a minimum of 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can tolerate brief periods of colder weather, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing can damage the plant. The ideal temperature for robust growth and flowering is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
Pruning
Carnations benefit from pruning to promote bushy growth, encourage more blooms, and maintain overall plant health. Deadhead regularly by removing spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. After the first killing frost in fall or early winter, prune back the plants to about one-third of their height to prepare them for dormancy. Pruning is best done with clean, sharp shears to prevent disease transmission.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for the Carnation 'Maisie Neal' should be well-draining and fertile, with a slightly alkaline pH around 7.0 to 8.5. A mix of loam, sand, and compost is ideal to ensure proper drainage and nutrition.
Repotting
Carnations, including 'Maisie Neal', generally don't need frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their current pot.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations like 'Maisie Neal' prefer moderate ambient humidity levels, but they are fairly adaptable and can tolerate dry conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, good airflow, use well-draining, alkaline soil mix.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, in well-draining, slightly alkaline soil.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA.
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Maisie Neal', commonly known as Pink, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in favorable conditions of warmth and moisture. Upon germination, it develops into a seedling, showcasing the first signs of true leaves after the initial cotyledons. The seedling stage is followed by the vegetative stage where the plant grows to its full size, producing foliage and establishing a strong root system. After reaching maturity, Pinks enter the flowering stage, producing distinctive, fragrant blossoms which then get pollinated, either through self-pollination or with the help of pollinators like bees or butterflies. Following successful pollination, the flowers develop into fruit containing seeds, completing the cycle as these seeds are dispersed by various means, ready to germinate and start a new generation. Between flowering seasons, the plant may enter a period of dormancy, especially in regions with cold winters, but typically Pinks are perennial plants that display foliage year-round and flower annually.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to early summer
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for Dianthus 'Maisie Neal', commonly known as Pink 'Maisie Neal', is through cuttings, especially since this cultivar might not come true from seed. To propagate by cuttings, one should select healthy, non-flowering stems in late spring to early summer. Cut a 4 to 6 inch (10 to 15 cm) length from the parent plant, ensuring at least one set of leaves is present. The cut end of the stem can then be dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth and planted in a mix of half peat and half perlite or sand. This cutting should be placed in indirect light and kept moist but not waterlogged. Roots usually form within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be transplanted into its final location.