Sweet William Dianthus 'Eileen Lever' (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Eileen Lever' is a charming perennial plant characterized by its attractive features. Commonly known as "pinks," the flowers are a notable aspect of this plant. They typically present in a vibrant shade, often a pink hue that may vary in intensity, ranging from soft pastel to a more vivid tone. These flowers can also exhibit a frilled or serrated petal edge, giving them a delicate, intricate appearance, reminiscent of historic fashions with ruffled or lacy trims. The petals can sometimes have a lighter or darker eye at the center, adding to the visual interest and depth of the flowers. The bloom season of Dianthus 'Eileen Lever' is notably generous, often providing color and beauty from late spring until the end of summer, depending on the climate and growing conditions. This extended display adds long-lasting appeal to gardens. The foliage of Dianthus 'Eileen Lever' is slender and tends towards a blue-green or gray-green color. It forms a neat mound or tuft beneath the flowers, contributing to the overall presentation of the plant. The leaves are typically linear, narrowing to a point, and they can add a contrasting texture against other garden plants. Dianthus 'Eileen Lever' is prized not only for its beauty but also for its scent. The flowers emit a spicy, clove-like fragrance that can be quite strong, especially in the evening or on calm, sunny days. This delightful perfume makes it a favorite among fragrant garden plants, attracting both humans and pollinators alike. In landscaping, Dianthus 'Eileen Lever' adds a touch of classic charm. It is well-suited for use in border fronts, rock gardens, and containers. Its ability to provide color, fragrance, and a neat habit makes it a popular choice for ornamental gardens.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Eileen Lever Dianthus, Pink, Sweet William, Carnation
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Eileen Lever'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Dianthus 'Eileen Lever', commonly known as Pinks, is not generally considered to be toxic to humans. While it is not advisable to ingest any part of ornamental plants, the Dianthus family does not typically contain harmful toxins that would cause poisoning in humans. If ingested in large amounts, it is possible for individuals to experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, but this is relatively uncommon.
- To pets
  Pinks, as Dianthus 'Eileen Lever' are commonly known, are considered to be non-toxic to pets. They are not known to contain substances that are poisonous to dogs, cats, and other domestic animals. If a pet were to ingest part of a Pinks plant, it is unlikely to suffer from any significant toxic effects. However, as with any non-food plant, ingestion can sometimes lead to mild gastrointestinal upset, but serious symptoms of poisoning are not expected.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  8
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: Dianthus 'Eileen Lever' offers striking flowers and pleasant fragrance, enhancing garden aesthetics.
- Drought Tolerance: This plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: The plant is easy to care for, requiring minimal upkeep, which is ideal for busy gardeners.
- Long Blooming Season: 'Eileen Lever' boasts a long flowering period, providing color and interest in the garden for an extended time.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of withstanding cooler temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates.
- Compact Growth: The plant's compact size makes it suitable for small gardens, borders, and containers.
- Versatility: It can be used in rock gardens, borders, and as ground cover, offering many landscaping possibilities.
- Deer Resistance: Dianthus is known to be less appealing to deer, which helps prevent damage to the plant and the garden.
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 'Eileen Lever', commonly known as Pink, can be used in potpourri for its fragrance, contributing a sweet and spicy note to the mix, which can be refreshing and pleasant in a room.
- The dried petals of Pink can be used in crafting homemade dyes, yielding a range of soft pinks and purples depending on the mordant used.
- Pink petals can serve as a natural confetti for weddings and celebrations, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic confetti.
- The blossoms of Pink can be pressed and incorporated into papermaking, providing a decorative floral pattern in handmade paper products.
- The flowers can be used in creating scented sachets for drawers or closets, helping to impart a mild fragrance to clothing and linens.
- Pink petals can be used as a garnish for desserts, adding a touch of elegance and color to cakes and pastries, although care should be taken as not all varieties are edible.
- In the art of flower arranging, Pink provides a textured element in bouquets and floral displays due to its distinctive fringed petal edges.
- Pink can be used in craft projects, such as making floral crowns or decorative wreaths, providing a charming and rustic aesthetic.
- Pinks are sometimes used in perfumery, contributing to the composition of fragrances that require a spicy floral note.
- The plant can be incorporated into educational projects for children, helping them learn about plant biology, pollination, and the cultivation of flowers.

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 flowers are commonly associated with love due to their enduring and attractive blooms, representing a lasting bond or deep affection.
- Admiration: The vibrant and striking appearance of dianthus blooms convey admiration, making them an appropriate gift to express high regard for someone's qualities or accomplishments.
- Boldness: With their bright colors and graphic patterns, dianthus flowers symbolize boldness and daring, reflecting the courage to stand out and be unique.
- Pure Affection: Some varieties of dianthus, including 'Eileen Lever', with their soft and delicate petals, are symbolic of pure or platonic affection, suggesting a gentle and deep fondness.
- Diversity or Variety: The varied colors and forms of dianthus blooms represent diversity and the beauty of variety in nature, as well as in human relationships and communities.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Water the Dianthus 'Eileen Lever', commonly known as Pink, thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Typically, watering once a week with approximately 16 ounces of water should suffice, but this can vary depending on environmental conditions. During hot, dry periods, more frequent watering may be necessary. Always avoid overwatering, as Pinks do not like soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. Ensure that the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage strong root development.
Light
Pinks prefer full sun conditions, enjoying at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. They thrive best when planted in a spot that provides morning sun and some afternoon shade, especially in regions with intense midday sun. Avoid deeply shaded areas, as insufficient light can lead to poor flowering and weak growth.
Temperature
Pinks are hardy in a range of temperatures and can tolerate light frosts. They perform best in areas with temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. They can generally survive minimum temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but excessive heat can stress the plant and impact flowering.
Pruning
Prune Pinks to remove spent flowers and encourage a second bloom. Lightly trim the foliage to maintain shape and promote dense growth, doing so immediately after the first flowering ceases. Pruning is typically required once or twice during the growing season. The best time for pruning is late spring or early summer, after the risk of frost has passed.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnations like well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH around 6.7 to 7.5. A good mix would be loam, compost, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage and fertility. Fertilize regularly for best bloom performance.
Repotting
Carnations generally need to be repotted every one to two years or when they outgrow their current container. It is best to repot in the spring, just before the new growing season begins.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations prefer a moderate humidity level, avoiding excessively dry or moist air. Aim for a humidity level around 40-50% for optimal growth.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation for indoor carnations.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun with well-draining soil and space plants for air flow.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Eileen Lever', commonly known as Pink, begins its life as a seed, which when sown in well-drained soil and given proper light conditions, will germinate within two to three weeks. The seedling stage follows, characterized by the sprouting of small leaves as the plant develops a root system and begins to photosynthesize. After a few weeks to months, depending on environmental conditions, the seedling matures into a young plant with a robust root structure and fuller foliage. The vegetative stage continues as the Pink grows and develops stems and leaves, preparing for the flowering stage. Flowering occurs typically in late spring to early summer, when the plant produces its signature fragrant blossoms in hues of pink, red, or white, attracting pollinators. After pollination, seeds are produced, and once the flowers fade, the plant will eventually enter a period of dormancy, particularly in colder climates, completing its annual or biennial cycle depending on care and variety.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: Dianthus 'Eileen Lever', commonly known as Pink, is commonly propagated by cuttings. The ideal time for this method is late spring to early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. To propagate by cuttings, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 4 to 6 inch (10 to 15 cm) piece just below a leaf node. Strip the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that at least two sets of leaf nodes are buried. Water the cutting lightly and place it in a warm location with indirect sunlight. Roots should develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be transplanted to its final location.