Carnation Dianthus 'Spinfield Happiness' (b)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Spinfield Happiness' is a plant known for its delightful appearance that's full of charm and often used to add a splash of color to gardens. This particular variety displays a dense mat of narrow, green leaves which provide a lush backdrop to its standout feature: the flowers. The blooms are the stars of the show, with each flower consisting of five petals that are commonly fringed or have serrated edges, giving them a unique and textured look. The petals themselves can vary in color, but often exhibit shades of pink, red, or purple, and they typically have a contrasting center or eye that pops against the primary petal color. These blossoms are known for their spicy, clove-like fragrance which can be quite pronounced and inviting to both people and pollinators alike. The flowers grow clustered atop slender, upright stems which rise above the foliage and sway gently in the breeze. The overall appearance of Dianthus 'Spinfield Happiness' is one of cottage garden charm and casual elegance, making it a popular choice for borders, beds, and containers where its showy flowers and delightful scent can be thoroughly enjoyed.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae.
- Synonyms
  Pink, Carnation, Sweet William.
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Spinfield Happiness'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The common name for Dianthus 'Spinfield Happiness' is Pink. Generally, Pinks are not considered toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant should not cause serious harm, but as with any non-food plant, consumption is not advised and could result in mild stomach upset. Always exercise caution and keep plants out of reach of small children who might accidentally ingest plant material.
- To pets
  The common name for Dianthus 'Spinfield Happiness' is Pink. Pinks are not known to be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. They are generally considered safe and are not expected to cause serious illness if pets consume parts of the plant. However, it's always prudent to discourage pets from eating plants, as individual animals might have sensitivities or allergic reactions, and ingestion could possibly result in mild gastrointestinal upset.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal - Adds vibrant color and visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance - The flowers emit a pleasant scent that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden.
- Attracts Pollinators - Encourages bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to visit your garden, which can help with pollination.
- Low Maintenance - Requires minimal care once established, making it a practical choice for busy gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance - Once established, it can tolerate periods of dryness, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Versatility - Suitable for planting in beds, borders, containers, and rock gardens, providing numerous landscaping options.
- Long Blooming Period - Offers a long season of bloom, typically from late spring to early fall, for extended garden interest.
- Cold Hardy - Capable of withstanding colder temperatures, making it suitable for growing in a variety of climates.
- Deer Resistant - Less appealing to deer, reducing the likelihood of damage from grazing animals.
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
- Flower Arrangements: Dianthus flowers are often used in bouquets and floral displays for their bright colors and pleasant fragrance, adding a traditional charm to any arrangement.
- Garden Borders: With their compact size and colorful blooms, these plants work well as edging plants along garden borders or pathways, providing a pop of color and definition to garden designs.
- Container Gardening: Dianthus can be grown in pots or hanging baskets, offering versatile options for those with limited garden space or who prefer to decorate patios or balconies.
- Culinary Garnish: The flowers of Dianthus are edible and can be used as a decorative and flavorful garnish on salads, desserts, and drinks, adding a unique touch to culinary presentations.
- Companion Planting: Dianthus can be used in companion planting to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are essential for the pollination of many crops and other garden plants.
- Ground Cover: Low-growing varieties of Dianthus can serve as a vibrant ground cover, suppressing weeds and protecting the soil from erosion with their mat-forming growth habit.
- Traditional Crafts: The blooms of Dianthus can be dried and used in potpourri or other traditional crafts, retaining their color and scent for a long time.
- Living Mulch: When planted densely, Dianthus can act as living mulch, helping to retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature, benefiting neighboring plants.
- Wedding Decor: Due to their association with love and devotion, Dianthus flowers can be incorporated into wedding décor, from centerpieces to bridal bouquets.
- Photography: The bright blooms of Dianthus make them an excellent subject for photography, providing an opportunity for gardeners and photographers to capture the beauty of nature.

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, commonly referred to as "pinks," have been historically used to symbolize love and affection due to their enduring beauty and sweet fragrance.
- Admiration: The striking appearance of the flowers can represent admiration, suggesting that the giver holds the recipient in high esteem.
- Pure Affection: Due to the delicate and intricate patterns of the petals, Dianthus can represent pure and platonic love.
- Boldness: The bright colors and resilient nature of the plant can symbolize boldness or daring.
- Divine Love: Some cultures associate the Dianthus with divinity and spiritual love, typically because of its long association with the gods in mythology.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Carnation 'Spinfield Happiness' prefers consistent moisture but dislikes waterlogged conditions. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. This might be about once a week, but frequency depends on environmental factors like temperature and sunlight. Use approximately half a gallon of water for outdoor plants and adjust based on the plant size and weather conditions. During hot, dry spells, you may need to water more frequently, while in cooler or rainy periods, less often.
Light
Carnations thrive in full sunlight, which means the 'Spinfield Happiness' variety needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Ideally, place it in a spot that receives morning sun and partial shade in the afternoon to protect it from the scorching midday heat. Avoid deep shade areas, as insufficient light can hinder flowering and make the plant leggy.
Temperature
Carnations, including 'Spinfield Happiness', prefer moderate temperatures and do well in conditions ranging between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but anything below this can harm the plant. Carnations also struggle in extreme heat above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so providing afternoon shade in hotter climates can be beneficial.
Pruning
Pruning carnation 'Spinfield Happiness' is essential to promote bushy growth and abundant flowering. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. Trim back the foliage by one-third after the main flowering period, typically in late summer, to rejuvenate the plant for the following season. Pruning is also a good opportunity to shape the plant and remove any dead or diseased stems.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnations, such as the Dianthus 'Spitfire', thrive best in a well-draining, loamy or sandy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, typically around 6.7 to 7.5. A good soil mix for these plants would consist of a combination of garden soil, compost or well-rotted manure, and a bit of coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage.
Repotting
Carnations like Dianthus 'Spitfire' generally do not need frequent repotting and can thrive in the same pot for several years. However, they should be repotted if they become root-bound or the soil quality has degraded. This may occur every 2 to 3 years.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations like Dianthus 'Spitfire' prefer moderate humidity levels. They can tolerate some level of dry air but excessive humidity can make them susceptible to fungal diseases. Therefore, aim for average room humidity or slightly drier conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, occasional watering, and well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, water when dry to the touch.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Spotti', commonly known as Carnation or Pinks, begins its life cycle as a seed which, once sown, germinates depending on temperature and light conditions. After germination, seedlings emerge and develop into young plants with characteristic narrow, green leaves. Following a period of vegetative growth, the plant reaches maturity and starts to produce buds that will develop into flowers, usually manifesting in vibrant colors and a distinctive spicy fragrance. After pollination, which may be facilitated by insects like bees, the flowers will produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. When the flowering period concludes, the plant will either enter a dormant phase, particularly in regions with cold winters, or it may die back if it is an annual variety. With adequate care, including deadheading to remove spent blooms, the plant can rebloom, continuing its life cycle for several seasons if it is a perennial.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method for propagating Dianthus 'Spinfield Happiness', commonly known as garden pinks, is through softwood cuttings. Typically, the best time to take these cuttings is in the late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. Gardeners select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut segments of about 3 to 4 inches (about 7.5 to 10 cm) long. These cuttings should have at least a couple of pairs of leaves and the lower leaves are removed before insertion. The cut end of the cutting is dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage rapid root development and then planted in a well-draining soil mixture. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy, with cuttings ideally placed in a sheltered location with indirect sunlight. After several weeks, the cuttings will have formed roots and can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden.