Sweet William Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry' (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry' is a striking plant with a bushy, compact growth habit. It boasts a profusion of brightly colored flowers that can range from pink to deep crimson, depending on the variety. The blooms typically feature a frilled or serrated edge, adding to their visual appeal, with each petal sometimes showcasing a lighter or contrasting eye that catches the eye. The foliage of this Dianthus variety is slender, with narrow leaves that maintain a rich green or bluish-green color throughout their growing season. The leaves are linear and have a slightly grassy appearance, which beautifully offsets the vibrant colors of the flowers. Flowering stems rise just above the foliage, giving the flowers a prominent display that enhances the plant's ornamental impact. The flowers often emit a spicy fragrance that's especially noticeable on warm, sunny days. Because of this pleasant scent, the Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry' is a popular choice for gardens where sensory experiences are cherished. This plant typically thrives in full sunlight and is known for its resilience and hardiness. It can be grown in various soil types, provided they are well-draining. The Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry' makes an excellent choice for garden borders, rock gardens, and can even be featured as a part of a container display due to its modest footprint and showy nature. It’s a perennial, meaning it will grace the garden with its presence year after year, offering a reliable splash of color with minimal maintenance.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Pinks, Carnations, Sweet William
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Dianthus, commonly known as 'carnation' or 'pinks', is generally not considered toxic to humans. Most species and varieties, including the Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry', are safe to handle and have no known toxicity. There are no expected symptoms of poisoning from ingesting this plant because it is not poisonous to humans.
- To pets
  Carnation is also generally considered to be non-toxic to pets. The Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry' does not contain any substances known to be poisonous to cats, dogs, or other domestic animals. Therefore, if a pet ingests part of this plant, it is not expected to suffer from any symptoms of poisoning, and there should be no serious consequences. However, it is always prudent to monitor your pet for any signs of distress after ingesting plant material, as individual reactions can vary.
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
  6
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: Offers bright and colorful blooms that can enhance the beauty of any garden or landscape.
- Long Blooming Period: Typically has a lengthy flowering season, providing color for an extended time.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or regions with low rainfall.
- Low Maintenance: Generally easy to care for and does not require frequent watering or fertilizing.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for borders, rock gardens, containers, and as cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
- Cold Hardy: Can withstand cooler temperatures and is suitable for planting in a variety of climates.
- Deer Resistance: Often resistant to deer, making it an excellent option for areas where deer predation is a problem.
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 flowers can be used as a natural dye for fabrics and yarns, imparting a range of colors from pink to light yellow depending on the mordant used.
- Petal confetti made from dried Dianthus petals can be a biodegradable alternative to traditional paper confetti for celebrations.
- The edible flowers of the Dianthus can be crystallized with egg whites and sugar to create decorative cake embellishments.
- Dianthus, with their often strong and spicy scent, can be used in potpourris to lightly fragrance a room.
- When included in a bouquet, Dianthus flowers can act as a natural insect deterrent with their clove-like fragrance.
- Used in companion planting, Dianthus can help deter certain pests from more vulnerable plants in the garden.
- Pressed Dianthus flowers can be used in artwork, bookmarks, and other crafts, preserving their beauty in a two-dimensional form.
- Flower essence from Dianthus is sometimes used in aromatherapy for its supposed emotional and spiritual benefits, although not scientifically proven.
- Decorative ice cubes containing small Dianthus petals can add an elegant touch to drinks at special events.
- Dianthus petals can be used as a natural garnish on salads and desserts for an unexpected pop of color and mild spicy flavor.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Dianthus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Dianthus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: The Dianthus flower is often associated with love due to its long-standing presence in romantic and affectionate expressions. Its beautiful colors and pleasant fragrance have made it a symbol of deep emotional attachment.
- Passion: The vibrant hues of the Dianthus can also symbolize passion, representing intense feelings and enthusiasm.
- Admiration: Gifting these flowers can be an expression of admiration, conveying respect and high esteem for someone.
- Capriciousness: In some historical contexts, Dianthus was a symbol of capriciousness because of its variety in color and form, suggesting whimsy and changeability.
- Divine Love: In Christian symbolism, the Dianthus, particularly the red varieties, are associated with divine love, reflecting the ultimate sacrifice and love in religious contexts.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Carnations prefer to be kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. It's best to water them deeply once or twice a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering. Apply the water directly to the soil to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. The amount of water will vary depending on the size of the plant and the weather conditions but generally, ensure that the plant receives about one inch of water per week. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently.
Light
Carnations thrive in full sun where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They perform best when placed in a location that offers bright, unfiltered sunlight. However, in extremely hot climates, carnations can benefit from light afternoon shade to protect them from intense, midday heat.
Temperature
Carnations prefer cooler conditions and will flourish in temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate temperatures down as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, making them suitable for cooler climates. Carnations can handle a light frost, but extreme cold or heat will stress the plants, so avoid placing them in conditions where temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit or drop below freezing.
Pruning
Carnations should be pruned to encourage bushy growth, remove dead flowers, and maintain plant shape. Deadheading, or removing spent flower heads, will promote continuous blooming throughout the season. The best time to prune carnations is in early spring or after the first flush of blooms has faded. Prune back to just above a leaf node to stimulate new growth and flower production.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnations, like Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry', thrive in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. To create the best soil mix, incorporate equal parts garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite to ensure proper drainage.
Repotting
Carnations, such as Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry', typically need repotting every 1-2 years, preferably in the spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations prefer average to low humidity levels. Maintain ambient room humidity without the need for additional humidity control techniques.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, shelter from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The plant Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry', commonly known as Garden Pinks, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in warm, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Once sprouted, the seedling develops into a young plant with a clump-forming habit, producing grass-like green foliage. As it matures, the plant produces sturdy stems and blooms with fragrant, bright pink flowers that are frilled or laced at the edges, typically in late spring to early summer. After pollination, often by bees and butterflies, the flowers develop into seed pods that eventually release seeds for the next generation. During the growing season, Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry' may experience a second flush of flowering if spent blooms are removed. The plant enters dormancy in the winter months, with some foliage remaining evergreen in milder climates, and with proper care, it will re-emerge and continue its life cycle the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- Dianthus 'Linfield Dorothy Perry', commonly known as pinks, is often propagated through the method of cuttings. This technique is preferably done in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate pinks from cuttings, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 3-4 inch-long piece just below a node. Strip the bottom leaves and dip the cut end into rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cutting into a pot filled with a mix of perlite and peat moss, ensuring that the nodes where the leaves were removed are buried. Water the cutting and place it in a well-lit area, avoiding direct sunlight, to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity. Roots typically form within a few weeks, after which the cutting can be transplanted.