Sweet William Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris' (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris' is a delightful flowering plant most commonly known as pinks. This particular variety is celebrated for its lush, bright, sweetly scented flowers. The blossoms are a striking display of color, usually in tones of pink or salmon, and are known for their frilled and deeply serrated edges, giving them a ruffled appearance. Each petal is finely edged with a lighter or contrasting shade, which beautifully accentuates their shape and makes the color pop. The plant itself has a neat and compact growth habit, forming a dense, mounded clump. Its foliage is slender, with a grayish-green color that provides an attractive backdrop for the vibrant blooms. The leaves are lance-shaped and form a tight tuft at the base of the plant, from which the flower stems arise. When in bloom, pinks create an eye-catching display of color that can bring life to any garden or floral arrangement. Despite lacking specifics on its dimensions, rest assured that Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris' would typically fit comfortably in a small to medium-sized garden space.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Chetwyn Doris Pink, Chetwyn Doris Carnation, Chetwyn Doris Sweet William
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris', commonly known as Carnation, is generally not considered to be toxic to humans. Ingestion of any part of this plant typically does not result in severe poisoning. However, some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea or vomiting if large quantities are consumed, and those with sensitive skin may occasionally experience dermatitis from handling the plant.
- To pets
  Carnation, or Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris', is not highly toxic to pets, but it can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Symptoms of poisoning in pets may include vomiting, diarrhea, and a lack of appetite. Although not generally life-threatening, ingestion of any part of the plant may warrant monitoring for any signs of distress and consultation with a veterinarian if symptoms are observed.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Grey-green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot 9 inches (0.53 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.3 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Produces attractive pink flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Scent: Emits a pleasant fragrance that can create a relaxing and enjoyable outdoor environment.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity.
- Easy to Grow: Relatively low maintenance and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making it accessible for many gardeners.
- Extended Blooming Period: Provides a long season of color, often blooming from late spring to early fall.
- Compact Size: Its small stature makes it suitable for borders, rock gardens, and containers, offering versatility in garden design.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can withstand periods of dry weather, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Cold Hardy: Capable of surviving in cooler climates, which makes it a resilient choice for various landscapes.
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 'Chetwyn Doris' can be used in potpourri due to its fragrance, where dried petals retain their scent and add a colorful touch to the mixture.
- The petals of Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, providing a range of colors from pale pinks to rich reds depending on the mordant used.
- These flowers are often used in culinary dishes as edible decorations, providing a splash of color and a spicy, clove-like flavor to salads and desserts.
- Dianthus flowers, including 'Chetwyn Doris', can be used to infuse syrups or sugars, imparting a unique flavor for use in cocktails or baking.
- The blooms of this plant can be pressed and included in crafts such as handmade paper or bookmarks, serving both an aesthetic and personal touch.
- Dianthus petals can be used in homemade soaps for their color and fragrance, which can be soothing and skin-friendly.
- These plants can be used for educational purposes, such as studying pollination or practicing basic horticultural techniques with students or gardening enthusiasts.
- In photography, Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris' is often used as a subject for macro photography due to its intricate petal patterns and vibrant colors.
- Fragrance extraction from Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris' can be pursued as a hobby or small-scale enterprise to create essential oils or perfumes.

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, more commonly known as "Carnations" or "Pinks," often symbolize love, particularly a mother's undying love, making them a popular choice for Mother's Day.
- Admiration: The ruffled appearance of the Dianthus suggests enchantment and deep romantic affection, conveying a message of admiration and adoration.
- Distinction: Dianthus blooms stand out with their unique, spicy fragrance and vibrant color variety, representing someone or something that is truly distinctive.
- Pure Affection: Their long history of cultivation can signify pure affection and the deep emotional connection that withstands the test of time.
- Capriciousness: In some folklore, the Dianthus is a symbol of capriciousness due to its diverse array of patterns and colors, reflecting the unpredictable nature of love and affection.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Sweet William needs consistent moisture but dislikes waterlogged soil. Water the plants deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 inches of water each time, which equates to approximately 0.62 to 0.94 gallons per square yard, depending on soil conditions and climate. During hot, dry spells, you may need to water Sweet William twice a week, while in cooler, damp conditions, watering can be reduced. Ensure the water reaches the roots by applying it directly to the soil rather than overhead to prevent fungal diseases. Adjust watering based on rainfall, and always check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering.
Light
Sweet William thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Ideally, locate the plant in a spot where it receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. If you're planting it indoors, a south-facing window is an excellent spot as long as there's ample light. These plants can tolerate slight shade, especially in hotter climates, but too little light can result in leggy growth and fewer blooms.
Temperature
Sweet William prefers moderate temperatures and will perform best when daytime temperatures are between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive a frost and are hardy down to at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit but sustained cold below this point can be damaging. The ideal growth conditions for Sweet William do not involve extreme heat; prolonged temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit can stress the plant.
Pruning
Prune Sweet William to encourage bushier growth and to maintain its shape. Deadheading spent blooms can promote more flowering. Cut back the foliage after flowering has completed to revitalize the plant and prepare it for the next season. Pruning is typically done annually; for the best results, prune Sweet William in late summer or early fall after the blooming cycle.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for the Sweet William is one that is well-draining with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 6.7 to 7.5. A mixture of garden soil with added compost and a bit of sand or perlite to improve drainage should be ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Sweet William should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when the plant outgrows its current pot. It's important not to oversize the pot, as this could lead to water retention and root rot.
Humidity & Misting
Sweet William prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable. It does not require high humidity environments, making it suitable for average home conditions without the need for additional humidity control.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Dianthus 'Chedwyn Doris', commonly known as Carnation, begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically in early spring when temperatures are suitable for sprouting. Once germinated, seedlings develop into vegetative plants with a rosette of blue-green leaves. As the plant matures, stems elongate and produce flower buds by late spring or early summer. These buds bloom into the characteristic brightly-colored carnation flowers that may display a variety of patterns and colors, often pink or similar hues, that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into fruit capsules containing seeds that, upon maturing and drying, are dispersed to start the next generation. The carnation is a perennial plant, so it can survive through winter dormancy and re-emerge the following spring, continuing its cycle for several years under optimal conditions.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method for propagating the Dianthus 'Chetwyn Doris,' commonly known as pinks or carnations, is by cuttings. This is typically done in late spring to early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. To propagate by cuttings, a gardener would select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut them to a length of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm). These stems are then stripped of the lower leaves and inserted into a well-drained potting mix or directly into the garden. It's important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and to provide some form of shade until the cuttings have rooted, which usually takes a few weeks. Once the cuttings have established a strong root system, they can be transplanted to their final location.