Carnation Dianthus 'Nichola Ann' (b)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Nichola Ann', often known simply as pinks, presents a charming display in the garden with its distinctive blossoms and foliage. The flowers exhibit a striking appearance, typically in shades of pink, and boast a frilled or ruffled edge which adds a touch of elegance to its form. Each petal may be neatly edged with a contrasting color, often white, creating a bicolor effect that is quite eye-catching. These blossoms are well-known for their spicy, clove-like fragrance that can fill the surrounding air, especially during the warm parts of the day. The plant's foliage is another appealing aspect, consisting of slender, blue-green leaves. These leaves are often long and grass-like, forming a dense and neat mound that serves as a lush backdrop for the vibrant flowers. The foliage may also have a grayish or bluish tinge, which contrasts nicely with the vivid colors of the blooms. The overall appearance of Dianthus 'Nichola Ann' is one of neatness and delicate beauty, making it a popular choice for garden borders, rockeries, and as a flowering accent in container plantings. Despite the omission of its dimensions, the plant's compact and mounded form is generally known to fit well into various garden spaces and design schemes.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Pinks, Carnations, Sweet William
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Nichola Ann'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The common name for Dianthus 'Nichola Ann' is Carnation. Generally, carnations are not considered toxic to humans. However, some people may experience mild skin irritation from handling the plant or mild discomfort if plant parts are ingested. There are no major toxicity concerns or serious symptoms of poisoning expected from this plant for humans.
- To pets
  Carnations can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested. While not typically life-threatening, the consumption of carnations may lead to gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling in dogs and cats. Further effects can include mild dermatitis if the pet comes in contact with the plant. If your pet ingests a carnation and displays these symptoms, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Blooms: Produces vibrant and colorful flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Long Flowering Period: Offers a long-lasting display from late spring to early autumn, providing consistent beauty throughout the growing seasons.
- Fragrance: Emits a pleasant and sweet scent that adds an aromatic dimension to garden spaces.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good drought-resistant properties, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
- Cold Hardy: Can withstand cooler temperatures, making it a suitable choice for gardens in temperate climates.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care, which is ideal for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance plants.
- Attracts Pollinators: Serves as a food source for bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity and aiding in pollination.
- Edging and Borders: With its compact growth habit, it is well-suited for use in edging and creating borders in garden beds and walkways.
- Container-Friendly: Can be grown in pots or containers, which makes it versatile for patios, balconies, and small-space gardening.
- Cut Flowers: The stems and blooms can be used for cut flower arrangements, bringing the garden's beauty indoors.
- Versatility in Design: Its form and color compliment various garden styles, from cottage gardens to modern minimalist landscapes.
- Garden Heritage: As part of the traditional cottage garden palette, it helps maintain and celebrate gardening heritage.
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
- Dye Production: The blossoms of the Dianthus can be used in creating natural dyes for textiles, offering hues ranging from light pink to deep crimson depending on mordant used.
- Art Supplies: The flower petals of the Dianthus, also known as Carnation, can be crushed to create a natural pigment for watercolor or other types of paint.
- Natural Confetti: Dried petals of Carnations can serve as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic confetti at celebrations, as they are biodegradable and add a colorful touch.
- Bookmarks: Pressed Dianthus flowers can make delicate and beautiful bookmarks that add a personal touch to gift books or journals.
- Flower Arranging Classes: Carnations are a popular choice for teaching flower arrangement due to their durability and the variety of colors they come in.
- Culinary Garnish: While not eaten, Carnation petals can be used to decorate cakes and desserts, providing an edible ornamental touch to culinary creations.
- Potpourri: The petals and scent of Dianthus can be used in homemade potpourri mixes to naturally fragrance a room.
- Perfumery: The essential oils of Carnation can be utilized in making perfumes and scented products due to their sweet, spicy floral fragrance.
- Candle Making: Dried Carnation petals can be added to wax when making candles for an aesthetic element and mild fragrance release when the candle is burned.
- Herbarium Specimens: Botany enthusiasts can include the Dianthus 'Nichola Ann' in their herbarium collections as an example of Caryophyllaceae family plants.

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 "pinks," often symbolizes love and affection due to their vibrant and appealing flowers.
- Admiration: The bright colors of the 'Nichola Ann' variety can indicate deep admiration for someone, often used to convey feelings of high regard.
- Boldness: The striking appearance of the Dianthus 'Nichola Ann' can represent boldness and daring, reflecting the plant's resilience and strong visual impact.
- Pure Affection: Dianthus florals have been associated with pure affection, particularly in a romantic context, as their enduring blooms suggest a lasting bond.
- Divine Favor: In some historical contexts, particularly during the Victorian era, dianthus flowers were thought to be tokens of divine favor or approval, possibly due to their divine fragrance and beauty.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
To properly water Carnations, commonly known as Dianthus 'Nichola Ann', they should be watered deeply to encourage root growth, allowing the top inch of the soil to dry out between waterings. This typically means watering them once a week with about one inch of water, but this can vary depending on climate and soil conditions. During particularly hot or dry weather, watering frequency may need to increase. It is best to water early in the morning or late in the afternoon to reduce evaporation and to help prevent diseases that can occur from foliage remaining wet overnight.
Light
Carnations prefer full sun and thrive with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal spot for Carnations is a south-facing location that receives ample sunlight throughout the day. They can tolerate light shade, but too little light can lead to less vigorous growth and fewer blooms.
Temperature
Carnations enjoy cooler temperatures and can generally withstand temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but prefer a range between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. At night, temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal. They should be protected from extreme temperature fluctuations and should not be exposed to temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods.
Pruning
Pruning Carnations promotes bushy growth, encourages more blooms, and removes spent flowers to maintain the plant's appearance. Carnations should be deadheaded regularly to prolong blooming and pruned back by one-third in late summer to prepare the plant for winter. The best time for major pruning is early spring, just before new growth begins.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
For the common Dianthus, also known as Pinks, a well-draining soil mix is crucial. A mix of loam, compost, and perlite or coarse sand works well to ensure adequate drainage and aeration. Pinks prefer slightly alkaline soil, with an ideal pH between 6.75 and 7.5.
Repotting
Dianthus, or Pinks, generally do not need frequent repotting and can thrive in the same pot for several years unless they outgrow it. Check the plant yearly in spring, and repot if it looks crowded.
Humidity & Misting
Pinks (Dianthus) prefer a drier climate and are tolerant of dry air. They do not require high humidity levels and can thrive in average room humidity conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Pinks in bright indirect light, water sparingly.
- Outdoor
  Plant Pinks in full sun, well-drained soil, protect from winter wet.
- Hardiness zone
  Dianthus 'Nichola Ann' is suitable for 4-9 USDA.
Life cycle
The Dianthus 'Nichola Ann', commonly known as the 'Nichola Ann' pinks, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in late winter to early spring or by cuttings taken in summer. Germination occurs in a few weeks, after which seedlings grow and establish a robust root system. As the plant matures, it develops a compact, bushy structure with narrow, grey-green leaves, typically reaching its flowering stage in late spring to early summer. The 'Nichola Ann' blooms profusely with fragrant pink to shades of dark red blossoms atop sturdy stems and continues to flower intermittently throughout the summer and into early autumn when cared for properly. After the flowering period, seed heads may form if not deadheaded, allowing seeds to be collected or self-sown for propagation. The plant may go dormant in winter, especially in colder climates, but with proper mulching or protection, it usually returns in spring, continuing its perennial cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Dianthus 'Nichola Ann', commonly known as Carnation, is best propagated through stem cuttings. This popular method involves taking healthy, non-flowering stems from the parent plant during late spring to early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. Cut a 4- to 6-inch-long (10 to 15 cm) section of stem, ensuring there are at least three pairs of leaves on the cutting. Remove the bottom leaves to expose a length of bare stem and dip this end in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. Plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix, water it well, and cover it with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Place the cutting in a warm area with indirect sunlight and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically develop in 2 to 3 weeks, after which the plastic can be removed and the new Carnation plant can be transplanted outdoors when it has grown strong enough.