Sweet William Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby', commonly known as the pinks, is an ornamental plant characterized by its striking, richly colored flowers and dense, clump-forming habit. The blossoms exhibit hues of deep ruby red, creating a lush carpet of color when in full bloom. These flowers are renowned for their frilled edges and a distinctive, spicy fragrance that is both sweet and clove-like, inviting to pollinators and delightful to human senses. The foliage of pinks forms a tight mound of slender, bluish-green leaves which provide a lovely contrast to the vibrant red flowers. The leaves themselves are linear to lance-shaped, contributing to the plant's tufted and bushy appearance. Each individual flower is borne atop a slender, sturdy stem that elevates it just above the main body of the plant, allowing the showy blooms to stand out prominently in a garden setting. Pinks generally have a neat, mounded growth habit and are commonly used in borders, rock gardens, and as edging plants because of their compact and tidy nature. Their ability to thrive in various conditions and their bright, enduring flowers make them a popular choice for gardeners looking to add long-lasting color and charm to their landscape designs. Overall, Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' is a beautiful and easy-care plant that adds a burst of striking color and a delightful scent to any garden space.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae.
- Synonyms
  Coronation Ruby Dianthus, Ruby Dianthus.
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The common name for Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' is Carnation. Carnations are not considered toxic to humans, and there are no well-known toxic effects or symptoms of poisoning associated with ingestion.
- To pets
  Carnations are considered to be mildly toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. If ingested, the plant can cause gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. In most cases, ingestion leads to only mild to moderate discomfort and generally does not result in severe poisoning. However, it is always advisable to contact a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has eaten any part of a carnation.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Red
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Easy to grow: Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' is known for its straightforward care requirements, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers of this plant attract butterflies and bees, aiding in the pollination of your garden.
- Vibrant color: With its deep ruby red petals, the plant adds a bold splash of color to garden beds, borders, and containers.
- Fragrant: The blooms emit a pleasant fragrance that can add a layer of sensory enjoyment to your outdoor space.
- Extended blooming period: This variety of Dianthus typically has a long flowering season from late spring to early summer, providing a lengthy display of beauty.
- Drought tolerant: Once established, it has good drought resistance, making it a good choice for areas with water restrictions or dry climates.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care beyond occasional watering and deadheading to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming.
- Compact growth: Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for small gardens, borders, or as an edging plant.
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
- Culinary Garnish: The edible petals of Dianthus can be sprinkled on salads or desserts for a splash of color and a subtle spicy flavor reminiscent of cloves.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists and photographers may use the vibrant colors and patterns of Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' as a muse for their creative works, including paintings and macro photography.
- Natural Fabric Dye: The deep reds and pinks of the Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' can be used to create natural fabric dyes for coloring textiles.
- Bookmark Decoration: Pressed Dianthus flowers make delicate decorations for handmade bookmarks, serving as a unique and personal gift idea.
- Soap Making: Dianthus petals can be embedded into homemade soaps for color and texture, adding a personal touch to bath and beauty products.
- Decoration for Candles: Encapsulating the small flowers in wax can create visually appealing candles with hints of floral textures.
- Potpourri Ingredient: The petals of Dianthus can be dried and added to potpourri mixtures for a natural, floral scent in the home.
- Craft Projects: Dianthus flowers can be used in craft projects, such as making floral crowns, greeting cards, or decorating picture frames.
- Fragrance Extraction: Though not commonly used for large-scale perfume production, the Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' can be a source for essential oils for those interested in DIY fragrance projects.
- Cake Decorating: Edible fresh or crystallized Dianthus flowers can be used to adorn and enhance the visual appeal of cakes and pastries, adding an elegant touch to baked goods.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant_name is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant_name is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' is a variant of Carnations, which are commonly associated with love and fascination. The deep red hue of 'Coronation Ruby' often signifies deep love and affection.
- Admiration: Carnations are symbolic of admiration. The striking appearance and enduring nature of Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' make it a symbol of someone's admiration for another person.
- Distinction: The unique, rich color of the 'Coronation Ruby' can symbolize distinction and singularity, suggesting that someone is truly one of a kind.
- Devotion: Due to their long-lasting qualities, Carnations can symbolize a deep sense of devotion and commitment.
- Good luck: In some cultures, carnations are given as gifts to bring good luck, and the Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby', with its vibrant and bold color, can be particularly potent in this regard.

💧

Every week

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Carnations prefer well-drained soil and do not like to be waterlogged. It's best to water these plants when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this might mean watering once or twice a week depending on the climate and the weather conditions. When watering, thoroughly soak the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches to ensure that the water reaches the root zone. Depending on the size of the plant and environmental factors, this could equate to around 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per week during active growth periods.
Light
Carnations thrive in full sun, enjoying at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot for Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby' would be a location where it can receive morning sunlight and partial shade during the hottest part of the afternoon, although it can tolerate full sun throughout the day as long as it’s not excessively hot.
Temperature
Carnations are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, surviving winter months in temperatures as low as 20°F. Ideally, they flourish when the temperature is between 60°F and 70°F. The maximum temperature they can withstand is approximately 85°F before potentially experiencing stress or heat damage.
Pruning
Pruning carnations encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. In early spring or after the first wave of blooming, trim back the stems by one-third to shape the plant and encourage new growth. This is often done yearly or as needed to maintain the plant's compact shape.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Sweet William prefers well-draining soil mixed with organic matter, such as compost or peat moss—aim for a slightly alkaline pH between 6.75 and 7.5 for optimal growth.
Repotting
Sweet William generally doesn't require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container.
Humidity & Misting
Sweet William thrives in average humidity levels and does not require any special humidity considerations for growth.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, avoid overwatering, and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, in well-draining soil, and space adequately.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby', commonly referred to as Pinks, begins its life as seeds which, when sown and given proper conditions, will germinate typically within 1-2 weeks. Seedlings emerge and develop true leaves, at which point they should be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions if they were started indoors. As they grow, these plants progressively develop sturdy stems and dense clumps of narrow, green to blue-green foliage. Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer, showcasing the plant's vibrant, ruby-red blossoms with a signature spicy fragrance. After blooming, if spent flowers are regularly deadheaded, the plant may produce additional flushes of flowers into the summer. Eventually, as the plant matures and completes its growth cycle, it can be encouraged to reseed or be propagated through cuttings for continued cultivation in subsequent seasons.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: Dianthus 'Coronation Ruby', commonly known as pinks, is typically propagated by cuttings. This method is most popular because it is reliable and maintains the characteristics of the parent plant. Cuttings are best taken in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. A healthy, non-flowering shoot around 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long is selected and cut just below a leaf node, then the lower leaves are removed. The cutting is then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and inserted into a well-draining potting mix. It's important to keep the cuttings moist and in a warm place with indirect light until roots have developed, which generally takes 2-4 weeks. After rooting, the new plants can be transplanted to their final location.