Sweet William Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler' (b)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler' is a charming perennial known for its dense clusters of brightly colored flowers. These blooms typically showcase a delightful shade of pink, often with a deeper or contrasting eye in the center, creating a striking pattern. Each individual flower is fringed with unique, serrated edges that provide a whimsically ruffled appearance, adding to the plant's ornamental appeal. The leaves of this plant are slender, with a blue-green tint, offering a lovely color contrast with the vibrant flowers. They are arranged neatly along the stems, which form a compact, mounded shape that enhances the visual interest of the plant. The foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, creating a perfect backdrop for the succession of blooms that appear over the warmer months. Overall, the Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler' emanates a classic cottage garden charm, providing bursts of color and a sweet, spicy fragrance to the landscape. Its continuous blooming habit makes it a favorite among gardeners who seek to maintain a display of flowers for an extended period.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Sweet William, Pinks
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler', more commonly known as carnation, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Most species of Dianthus are safe, though they can cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested in large quantities. Consuming any part of the flower is not recommended due to the risk of stomach upset, but it is unlikely to cause severe poisoning or long-term health consequences.
- To pets
  Carnation, which refers to Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler', is also generally considered non-toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. Ingestion might result in mild gastrointestinal upset including vomiting or diarrhea, but it is not expected to cause severe toxicity or life-threatening symptoms. Owners should still discourage their pets from eating these plants to prevent any discomfort or digestive issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot (0.3 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.3 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  Varies
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal - Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler' features vibrant colors and a pleasing, compact form which can enhance the visual beauty of any garden or landscape.
- Low Maintenance - This plant is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Attracts Pollinators - With its brightly colored flowers, it can attract butterflies and bees, promoting biodiversity in your garden.
- Long Blooming Period - Dianthus typically has a long flowering season, providing color and interest in the garden for an extended period.
- Drought Tolerance - Once established, many Dianthus varieties, including 'Brian Tumbler', are fairly drought-tolerant, making them suitable for xeriscaping.
- Versatility - Suitable for borders, container gardening, and as ground cover, this variety of Dianthus is quite versatile in landscape use.
- Fragrance - Dianthus flowers are often fragrant, adding a pleasant scent to the garden area where they are planted.
- Deer Resistance - They are generally resistant to deer, which can help in maintaining the garden's appearance and reducing the need for additional protective measures.
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
- Dianthus 'Border Carnation' can be used as an all-natural dye for fabrics, offering a range of soft pink to muted red hues depending on the preparation.
- Petals of the Border Carnation are edible and can be crystallized for a decorative and flavorful garnish in desserts and cocktails.
- The plant can serve as a muse for artists and writers, with its striking appearance often being featured in paintings, poems, and stories.
- Its sturdy stems allow for it to be used in homemade potpourris, either dried on their own or mixed with other fragrant plants and spices.
- Border Carnation petals can be infused into syrups to flavor drinks, sorbets, or drizzle atop of pastries, adding a subtle spice and floral note.
- The flowers are ideal for educational purposes, like teaching botany and horticulture, due to distinct features that are characteristic of the Caryophyllaceae family.
- Dianthus 'Border Carnation' can be used in artisanal crafts such as flower pressing, creating bookmarks, or decorating homemade paper.
- The fragrant flowers can be included in scented sachets to freshen up closets, drawers, or even tucked into letters as a traditional romantic gesture.
- When used as a natural pest repellent in the garden, the strong scent of Border Carnations can deter certain insects from more sensitive plants.
- In traditional ceremonies or festivals, the petals can be used as confetti or to create decorative pathways and beds for special events.

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: The Dianthus species, commonly known as "Carnation," often symbolizes love and fascination, making it a popular choice for romantic occasions.
- Distinction: The unique and intricate patterns of the Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler', like other Carnations, can represent the idea of someone being distinctive or exceptional.
- Devotion: Carnations are also associated with strong feelings of devotion and loyalty, which can be attributed to their long-lasting nature and the way they are often used to demonstrate lasting commitment.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Sweet William, also known as Dianthus 'Barbarini', prefers soil that is consistently moist but well-drained. It should be watered once every week with about one inch of water, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage root growth. During hot or dry periods, watering frequency should increase to twice per week. If the plant is in a container, check the top inch of soil for dryness and water when it feels dry to the touch. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases, instead water at the base of the plant.
Light
Sweet William thrives in full sun areas that receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Planting it in a south or west-facing location will ensure it gets sufficient light. If grown indoors, place near a sunny window where the plant can get plenty of light without being shaded.
Temperature
Sweet William is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, preferring between 60°F and 70°F for optimal growth. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to 40°F but should be protected from frost. During the summer, ensure it's not exposed to prolonged temperatures above 80°F as it may cause stress to the plant.
Pruning
Pruning Sweet William is important to promote bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. Perform a thorough pruning in late summer or early fall by cutting back the stems to about half their height to maintain a compact shape and prepare the plant for winter.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnations prefer well-draining, loamy soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of one part garden soil, one part peat, and two parts sand or perlite would create an ideal environment for growth.
Repotting
Carnations generally don't need frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their current container.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations thrive in moderate humidity levels and do not require any special humidity conditions, thus avoiding overly humid environments is best for their growth.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light with adequate air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, sheltered spot, well-draining soil, and moderate watering.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life of Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler,' commonly known as Carnation or Sweet William, begins with seed germination, which occurs in a warm, moist environment, typically in early spring if outside or year-round if controlled indoors. After germination, the seedlings grow into vegetative plants, developing a rosette of leaves at the soil surface. As they mature, the plants develop sturdy stems and a robust root system. Flowering follows, usually in the late spring to early summer, with the plant producing its characteristic fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, or white. After pollination, the flowers will produce seeds, which signifies the Carnation's reproductive stage. Finally, as an herbaceous perennial, the Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler' may die back to the ground in winter and re-emerge from its root system the following spring, completing its life cycle and ready to start anew.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- Dianthus 'Brian Tumbler', commonly known as 'Sweet William', can be propagated by seed. To propagate Sweet William by seed, the seeds should be sown in late spring or early summer in seed trays filled with a well-draining medium. The seeds require light to germinate, so they should be pressed gently onto the soil surface rather than buried. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Germination typically occurs within two to three weeks when maintained under the right light conditions and at a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Once the seedlings have developed a few true leaves, they can be transplanted to their final growing positions, ensuring they are spaced adequately to allow for mature growth. This method is favored for its simplicity and effectiveness in producing true-to-type plants.