Carnation Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips' (pf)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips' is a charming perennial plant known for its striking flowers and foliage. The blooms are the most notable feature, with each flower presenting a unique blend of color, often a mix of pink, red, and white hues that can vary between individuals. These flowers are typically arranged in a dense cluster, resembling a classic bouquet and exuding a delightful fragrance that can attract both butterflies and admirers. The petals of the Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips' exhibit a frilled or serrated edge, adding a touch of elegance and intricacy to the overall appearance. Beneath the alluring flowers, the plant showcases a mound of foliage that presents as slender, linear leaves with a blue-green to grayish-green color, which forms a neat, compact cushion or tuft, setting a contrasting backdrop for the vibrant blossoms above. Throughout the blooming season, this Dianthus variety maintains a lush and vibrant appearance, making it a popular choice for garden borders, rockeries, and even as a feature in decorative pots or containers. Its exquisite flowers not only contribute to the aesthetics of garden spaces but can also be cut and brought indoors to create fragrant, fresh bouquets. How it interacts with the light adds another layer of visual interest, with the sun illuminating the petals' delicate textures and rich colors. In summary, Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips' is celebrated for its showy, fragrant flowers and complementary foliage, bringing beauty and a classical touch to any garden without the mention of its specific dimensions.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Sweet William, Pinks
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips' is commonly known as "carnation." Carnations are not generally considered toxic to humans. However, consuming a large amount of any plant material may cause discomfort or gastrointestinal distress due to the presence of saponins and other compounds. Symptoms from ingesting parts of the carnation might include mild gastrointestinal upset, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It's always advisable to exercise caution and avoid ingesting plants that are not explicitly meant for consumption.
- To pets
  Carnations (Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips') may pose a risk of toxicity to pets such as cats and dogs if ingested. The symptoms of poisoning in pets might include mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset, which could manifest as drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is important to keep an eye on pets if they have access to carnations and consult a veterinarian if you suspect they have ingested any part of the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant colors and unique textures to garden landscapes with its bright flowers and distinctive foliage.
- Attracts Pollinators: Invites beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that contribute to pollination.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerant: Can survive with little water, making it a good choice for water-wise gardens and regions with water restrictions.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides seasonal blooms that enliven gardens, typically in the spring and summer months.
- Cut Flowers: Blooms are suitable for cutting and using in floral arrangements, adding beauty indoors as well as out.
- Ground Cover: Dense growth habit can help suppress weeds and cover bare spots in garden beds.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a pleasant scent that can be enjoyed in the garden or brought indoors with cut arrangements.
- Container Gardening: Ideal for growing in pots or containers where garden space is limited, such as patios and balconies.
- Deer Resistance: Often resistant to deer, reducing the likelihood of damage from wildlife.
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
- Pressed Flower Art: Dianthus petals can be pressed and used to create beautiful designs in framed art, bookmarks, or greeting cards due to their vibrant colors.
- Floral Infused Vinegars: The blossoms of Dianthus can be steeped in vinegar to create a floral-infused vinegar, perfect for culinary use in dressings and marinades.
- Cake Decoration: Edible Dianthus flowers can be used fresh or crystallized as colorful and attractive decorations on cakes and pastries.
- Natural Dye: The petals of Dianthus contain pigments that can be used to dye fabrics or paper, providing a range of pinks and purples.
- Potpourri: Dried Dianthus flowers can be included in potpourri mixes for their delightful fragrance and to add a splash of color.
- Flower Petal Confetti: Dianthus petals can be dried and used as natural, biodegradable confetti for celebrations and weddings.
- Scented Sachets: Dried Dianthus petals can be placed in small pouches to create scented sachets for drawers and closets.
- Flower Essence: Dianthus blooms can be used to make a flower essence, which is used for emotional and vibrational healing in alternative practices.
- Herbal Baths: Fresh or dried Dianthus petals can be added to bathwater for a fragrant and soothing herbal bath experience.
- Ice Cube Decorations: Freeze small Dianthus flowers into ice cubes to add an elegant and colorful touch to drinks during special occasions.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Dianthus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Dianthus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Dianthus, commonly known as "Pinks," often symbolizes love and affection, with its beautifully patterned blooms resembling classic symbols of love.
- Admiration: The delicate and intricate edges of the Dianthus petals represent admiration and can convey feelings of fascination and distinction towards someone.
- Purity: Although varying in colors, the white varieties of Pinks are associated with purity and innocence much like many other white flowers.
- Boldness: The vibrant and rich colors of Dianthus Pinks convey a message of boldness and daring, celebrating the courage to stand out and be unique.
- Divine Love: In Christian symbolism, Dianthus flowers are often associated with divine love due to their heavenly fragrance and enduring quality, hinting at the concept of ever-lasting love.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Carnations require consistent moisture but do not like to sit in wet soil, so they should be watered thoroughly to wet the soil to a depth of about 8-10 inches and then allowed to dry out between watering sessions. Generally, watering once a week with 1 to 1.5 gallons of water is appropriate, but this can vary based on climate conditions, the season, and the plant's stage of growth. During hot, dry spells, more frequent watering may be necessary, possibly twice a week. Overwatering can lead to fungal diseases, while underwatering may cause wilting and stress the plant. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering.
Light
Carnations thrive best in full sun conditions, which means they require at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for these plants is in a garden area that receives direct sunlight for most of the day without any prolonged periods of shade. These plants can tolerate some light afternoon shade, especially in very hot climates, but insufficient sunlight can lead to leggy growth and reduced blooming.
Temperature
Carnations perform well in temperatures that range between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and cooler at night, around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages strong growth and flowering. They are hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as just above freezing, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can be damaging. Overall, maintaining a consistent and moderate temperature range is key to keeping carnations healthy.
Pruning
Prune carnations to encourage bushier growth and more flowers, removing dead or faded blooms regularly to stimulate new buds. The best time to prune is early spring when new growth begins to appear. Additionally, light pruning can be done after a flush of blooming to remove spent flowers and encourage another round of blooms. It's recommended to prune at least once a year to maintain plant shape and health, cutting back by one-third to one-half of the plant's height.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnations prefer well-draining, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 6.7 to 7.5. A mix of compost, potting soil, and perlite or sand is ideal for good drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Carnations should be repotted every 2-3 years or if you notice that the plant has outgrown its current container, which is when roots start emerging from the bottom.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations prefer moderate humidity levels, but they can tolerate a range from low to high as long as there's good air circulation.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place near bright window, avoid overwatering, ensure good air flow.
- Outdoor
  In full sun with well-draining soil and spacing for air circulation.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The common name for Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips' is "Carnation". Carnations start their life cycle as seeds, which, once sown, germinate and sprout into seedlings with a set of true leaves following the initial simpler cotyledons. As they grow, they enter the vegetative stage, developing a robust root system and fuller foliage. The plants then reach maturity and begin the reproductive phase, producing distinctive, fragrant, and often brightly colored flowers primarily in late spring to early summer, although some may continue blooming intermittently throughout the growing season. After pollination, flowers will develop into seed pods, which eventually dry and release seeds for the next generation. Finally, as perennials, carnations can enter a dormant phase during colder months, only to regrow from their root system with the onset of warmer weather in spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Dianthus 'Anders Kath Phillips', also known as the pinks or garden pinks, can be propagated most effectively through stem cuttings. This method usually yields the best results when performed in late spring through early summer as the plant is actively growing. Take cuttings from non-flowering stems, about 4 to 6 inches (approx. 10 to 15 cm) in length, making sure each cutting has at least a couple of pairs of leaves. Strip off the bottom leaves, leaving the top set intact, and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone. Then insert the cutting into a pot filled with a moistened mixture of half perlite and half peat. To create a humid environment, cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a propagator. Rooting generally takes 2 to 4 weeks after which the cuttings can be transferred to individual pots and allowed to grow on before planting out.