Sweet William Dianthus Memories = 'Wp11 Gwe04' (PBR) (Scent First Series) (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus Memories, part of the Scent First Series, is a visually appealing plant with distinct characteristics. It boasts lush, grayish-green foliage that forms a neat, compact mound. This foliage provides the perfect backdrop for the stunning flowers it produces. The blossoms are pure white, fully double, and resemble a miniature version of classic carnations, complete with frilled petals that exude charm and a romantic feel. One of the most notable features of these flowers is their exquisite fragrance. The scent is rich, spicy, and clove-like, and it can fill the air around the plant, making it a delight in any garden or as part of an arrangement where scent is prized. The contrast between the white flowers and the grayish-green leaves is striking, and the overall look of this plant is both elegant and robust. It is popular for its long blooming period, offering a show of flowers and fragrance over an extended time.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Memories Dianthus, Pinks, Carnation, Sweet William
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Memories', Dianthus 'Wp11 Gwe04'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Dianthus, commonly known as 'pinks', 'carnations', or 'sweet william', depending on the variety, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from Dianthus spp. for humans. If ingested in very large quantities, an individual might experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea or diarrhea, but these plants are typically not dangerous. Most people can handle and plant Dianthus without experiencing any harmful effects.
- To pets
  In the case of pets, Dianthus, commonly known as 'pinks', 'carnations', or 'sweet william', is also considered to be of low toxicity. If consumed in large amounts, pets might exhibit mild signs of gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. It's always best to prevent pets from eating plants as even non-toxic plants can cause some degree of stomach upset. However, the Dianthus is generally not a plant that is known to cause serious harm or poisoning in pets if ingested in small quantities.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: The Dianthus Memories boasts beautiful, pure white blooms that are visually appealing in any garden setting.
- Long Blooming Period: This variety is known for its extended flowering period, providing color and interest throughout multiple seasons.
- Fragrance: It is part of the Scent First Series, indicating that the flowers have a strong, pleasant fragrance which can be enjoyed in the garden or as cut flowers indoors.
- Compact Size: The plant maintains a neat, compact habit, making it suitable for small spaces, borders, and container gardening.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Dianthus Memories exhibits a degree of drought tolerance, making it a good choice for gardens in drier climates or for water-wise gardeners.
- Low Maintenance: The plant generally requires minimal upkeep, making it a convenient option for busy or novice gardeners.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of withstanding cooler temperatures, making it suitable for planting in a wide range of climates.
- Deer Resistant: Dianthus Memories is known to be deer resistant, which is beneficial for gardens in areas with high deer populations.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
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
- Artistic floral arrangements: The Dianthus Memories, with its distinctive pleasant fragrance and beautiful blooms, is often used to create unique and long-lasting floral arrangements for art exhibitions or floral design competitions.
- Edible decorations for culinary arts: The petals of Dianthus Memories can be used as delicate, edible garnishes for desserts and fancy cocktails due to their colorful and whimsical appearance.
- Signature scents for boutique perfumes: The intense fragrance of Dianthus Memories can be captured and used in the formulation of niche perfumes, aiming to create signature scents for small, independent perfumeries.
- Handmade paper embellishments: Crafters can press Dianthus Memories flowers to create botanical paper or to embellish handcrafted greeting cards and bookmarks with their natural beauty.
- Mood lighting enhancements: The petals of the Dianthus Memories can be floated in water bowls with candles to create a romantic and aromatic ambiance for special occasions and dinners.
- Bath and body products: The scent of Dianthus Memories can be infused into bath bombs, oils, or soaps for a luxurious bathing experience that mimics a fragrant garden.
- Photography props: Photographers can use the Dianthus Memories blooms for still life photography or as a natural backdrop, adding texture and color to their compositions.
- Eco-friendly confetti: Dried petals of Dianthus Memories can be used as biodegradable confetti for eco-friendly celebrations, such as weddings or garden parties.
- Creative dye source: The vibrant petals can be boiled to extract natural dyes for fabric, yarn, or craft projects, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Natural potpourri: Dried Dianthus Memories flowers can provide a lasting fragrance as potpourri, perfect for scenting drawers, closets, or rooms.

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: Dianthus is commonly associated with love due to its enduring and passionate colors.
- Admiration: The flower's vibrant hues frequently signify admiration and deep heartfelt regard.
- Pure Affection: With its gentle fragrance and delicate petals, Dianthus often represents pure affection and the bonds of love.
- Boldness: The bold and striking appearance of Dianthus signifies boldness and the ability to overcome challenges.
- Chivalry: Historically, these flowers are linked with chivalry and were worn by knights to convey honor and courage.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Dianthus, commonly known as Pink, should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overhead watering to prevent foliage diseases, and instead aim for the base of the plant. A deep watering about once or twice a week should suffice, although this can vary depending on climate and soil conditions. During extreme heat or dry spells, increase the frequency as needed to keep the soil lightly moist. Pinks generally prefer not to sit in wet soil, so ensure adequate drainage and reduce watering in cooler, wetter weather. Refrain from letting the plant dry out completely, which can stress it.
Light
For optimal growth, Pinks need a spot that offers full sun to partial shade. A location that provides at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal, though some afternoon shade can be beneficial in very hot climates. The plant thrives in bright, natural light, so a south-facing garden is often a good choice, but east or west-facing locations can be suitable too if they provide sufficient light.
Temperature
Pinks prefer moderate temperatures and can generally tolerate a range from 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They are cold-hardy, often surviving in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but may need protection from harsh, prolonged frosts. Ideal growing conditions are found in the range of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which promotes vigorous growth and flowering.
Pruning
Prune Pinks to remove dead or fading flowers to encourage repeat blooming throughout the growing season. This process, called deadheading, also maintains the plant's appearance and health. Additionally, prune back the foliage in early spring or late fall to promote good air circulation and new growth. The best time for significant pruning is after the plant has finished flowering, which can vary but often occurs in late summer or fall.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnation 'Memories' thrives in well-drained, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.7 and 7.5. The best soil mix can be created by blending two parts loam to one part sand and one part compost, ensuring proper drainage and fertility for the plant.
Repotting
Carnations like 'Memories' typically do not require frequent repotting and can be done every two to three years or when the plant has outgrown its current pot. Spring is the best time for repotting to allow the plant to establish before the growing season.
Humidity & Misting
Carnation 'Memories' prefers moderate humidity levels. It is adapted to typical outdoor conditions, so it doesn't require high humidity. However, it should not be placed in very dry environments; a general range of 40-60% humidity is suitable.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide full sun, well-draining soil, and water when topsoil is dry.
- Outdoor
  Choose sunny site with well-drained soil and space adequately.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Starting as seeds, Dianthus 'Memories' (often known as Pinks) undergoes germination once planted in well-drained soil in a location with full sun or partial shade. Seedlings emerge and gradually develop into rosettes of blue-green, narrow leaves. As the plants mature, they give rise to sturdy stems topped with highly fragrant white flowers, typically blooming in late spring to early summer. After the first flush of bloom, deadheading can encourage a second bloom in late summer or early fall. Dianthus 'Memories' is a perennial, thus it will enter a period of dormancy during the winter months, with the foliage persisting, and then resume growth the following spring. Over time, the plant may need to be divided every few years to maintain its vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The Dianthus Memories, part of the Scent First Series, is typically propagated through cuttings. This method is popular because it helps maintain the specific characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by cuttings, you would take a healthy stem cutting from the plant, usually about 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 cm), during late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. The cutting should have several sets of leaves. It's important to cut just below a leaf node, because this is where the roots will emerge. Next, remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone to promote root development. The cutting is then placed in moist soil or a potting mix and kept at a consistent temperature, with partial sunlight, until it establishes a strong root system, which usually takes a few weeks. Once rooted, the plants can be transplanted to their final location.