Carnation Dianthus Silver Star = 'Wp10 Hel01' (PBR) (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus Silver Star, often known simply as Dianthus, is a charming plant that is notable for its decorative blooms. The flowers are characterized by their unique fringed petals, which are typically a pale, shimmering white with a subtle hint of blush pink at their petal edges. These delicate petals form a striking contrast against a burst of deep burgundy or crimson eye at the center of each flower. This dazzling central eye adds an extra dimension of color and draws the eye. Dianthus blooms are not only beautiful to look at but are also renowned for their pleasant scent. Each flower emits a sweet, clove-like fragrance that can perfume the air, particularly on warm days or in the evenings. This scent adds to the plant’s allure, making it a favorite among gardeners who appreciate sensory gardens. The foliage of the Dianthus Silver Star is another aspect of its visual appeal. The leaves are slim, with a blue-green hue, providing a lovely backdrop for the radiant flowers. Arranged in a dense, mounding habit, the foliage presents an attractive, neatly cushioned form that gracefully supports the floral display above. The leaves are slender and tend to have a linear shape, which gives the plant an overall delicate and refined appearance. Together, the bloom's eye-catching coloration, the sweet fragrance, and the lush foliage contribute to the plant's overall charm, making the Dianthus Silver Star a prized selection in gardens for its ornamental qualities. Whether nestled in rock gardens, border fronts, or as part of contained garden displays, this plant can imbue any setting with its refined beauty and aromatic presence.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Silver Star Pinks, Starry Carnation
- Common names
  Dianthus Silver Star = 'Wp10 Hel01' (PBR) (p).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant commonly known as Carnation, specifically the cultivar Dianthus Silver Star, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, some individuals may experience sensitivity or allergic reactions if they ingest any part of the plant or come into contact with the sap. While serious consequences or systemic toxicity are rare, symptoms might include gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea if ingested, and skin irritation or rash upon contact.
- To pets
  Carnations, including the Dianthus Silver Star cultivar, are generally considered to be mildly toxic to pets, particularly cats and dogs. If a pet ingests part of this plant, they may exhibit symptoms such as mild gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. The severity of symptoms can vary depending on the amount ingested and the sensitivity of the individual pet. It is advisable to prevent pets from ingesting this plant and to consult a veterinarian if any signs of poisoning are observed.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive blooms: Produces beautiful star-shaped flowers that add visual appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Long flowering period: Offers a lengthy season of interest with extended blooming from late spring to early autumn.
- Compact size: Ideal for small gardens, patios, and containers due to its manageable growth habit.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, it has good resistance to periods of dry weather, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care beyond occasional deadheading to promote further blooming.
- Cold hardy: Capable of withstanding cooler temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates.
- Scented flowers: The blossoms are often fragrant, adding a sensory dimension to garden spaces.
- Attracts pollinators: Welcomes beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Easy to propagate: Can be propagated through cuttings or division, allowing gardeners to expand their collection.
- Versatile use: Suitable for use in borders, rock gardens, and as cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
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
- Dried Flower Arrangements: The bloom of the Carnation can be dried and used in long-lasting floral displays.
- Bookmarks: Pressed flowers from the Carnation can be laminated or placed inside a book as a natural bookmark with an aesthetic touch.
- Potpourri: Dried Carnation petals can be included in potpourri mixes for a pleasant fragrance in the home.
- Bath Salts: Carnation petals can be mixed with bath salts to create a luxurious and fragrant bathing experience.
- Scented Candles: The essence of Carnation flowers can be infused into candles for a subtle, sweet fragrance.
- Soap Making: Carnation petals can be used in homemade soap for a natural touch and gentle exfoliation.
- Natural Dye: The petals of the Carnation can be used to produce a natural dye for textiles and crafts.
- Edible Decorations: While not common, Carnation petals are edible and can be used to garnish or add color to dishes and desserts.
- Scented Sachets: Dried Carnation petals can be used in small sachets to scent drawers and closets.
- Plant Dye for Art: The pigment from Carnation petals can be used in watercolor painting or to tint paper for arts and crafts.

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
- Divine Love: The generic name 'Dianthus' comes from the Greek words 'dios' (god) and 'anthos' (flower), commonly interpreted as the "flowers of the gods," symbolizing divine love.
- Boldness: Dianthus flowers are often associated with boldness due to their bright colors and strong fragrance, representing a brave heart and admiration.
- Passion: The vibrant hues of the Dianthus, including those of the 'Silver Star', can symbolize deep passionate feelings and love.
- Purity: The 'Silver Star' variety, with its clear white petals, may be interpreted as representing purity and innocence.
- Admiration: Dianthus in general are known to denote admiration, and giving them can be a way of communicating esteem for someone’s uniqueness.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Carnations, including Dianthus Silver Star, prefer moderate watering without being kept too soggy. Ensure the soil is dry to the touch before watering again, which typically means watering once a week. It's important to water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent disease. During active growth in the spring and summer, carnations may require more frequent watering, especially in warmer temperatures. In a garden setting, providing about one gallon of water per week per plant should suffice, adjusting based on rainfall and temperature conditions.
Light
Carnations require full sun to perform best, which means they should be placed in a spot where they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate some light shade, particularly in the hotter part of the day, but too little light can impede their flowering. The best spot for your Dianthus Silver Star is a south-facing garden bed or a window that offers generous light for most of the day.
Temperature
Carnations, like the Dianthus Silver Star, prefer cooler temperatures and thrive in conditions that range from 40°F to 70°F. They can survive light frosts but should be protected from temperatures below 20°F to avoid damage. During the growing season, daytime temperatures of 60°F to 70°F are ideal for their growth and flowering.
Pruning
Pruning carnations like Dianthus Silver Star helps promote healthy growth and robust flowering. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms. Perform a more thorough pruning in late summer or early fall, cutting back the stems by one-third to maintain shape and improve air circulation. Pruning your Dianthus Silver Star at least once a year will help to prolong its life and enhance its appearance.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Pink silver star thrives in well-draining soil with a balanced pH around 6.7 to 7.0. A blend of loam, compost, and sharp sand or grit is ideal, providing good aeration and nutrients.
Repotting
Pink silver star plants generally do not need frequent repotting; it's often done every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their containers.
Humidity & Misting
Pink silver star prefers moderate humidity levels, although it can tolerate lower humidity without negative effects.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, well-draining soil, and keep it at a cool temperature.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to partial shade, in well-draining, neutral pH soil.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Dianthus 'Silver Star', also known as the Carnation or Pink, begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in well-draining soil under full to partial sunlight. As seedlings emerge, they develop true leaves and a sturdy root system. The plant then enters a vegetative stage, forming a low mound or tuft of slender green to blue-green leaves. Following the vegetative stage, the Dianthus 'Silver Star' undergoes flowering, typically in late spring to early summer, producing fragrant white flowers with a unique, lacy edge. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed pods, which mature and eventually release seeds for dispersal. The plant may then enter a period of dormancy in colder climates, or it may continue to grow vegetatively in milder regions, often featuring several flushes of blooms in a single growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Dianthus Silver Star, commonly known as Pinks, is typically propagated through cuttings. The best time to take cuttings for Dianthus is during late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most active. To propagate by cuttings, a gardener should select a healthy, non-flowering stem and make a clean cut below a leaf node, ensuring the cutting is about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) long. The lower leaves are then stripped, and the base of the cutting can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mix, kept moist and in a warm environment with indirect light until roots have established, typically within a few weeks. After rooting, the new plant can be transferred into its permanent location in the garden.