Carnation Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride' (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride' is a perennial plant popular for its attractive and showy flowers. It produces an abundance of brilliantly colored blooms which are typically a vibrant shade of pink with frilled or serrated edges, giving them a distinctly lacy appearance. The petals may exhibit varying intensities of pink, and some flowers can have a lighter or darker eye in the center, creating a striking contrast. These blooms often have a rich, spicy fragrance that is very appealing and can add a pleasant scent to the garden space. The foliage of the Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride' is also noteworthy, consisting of slender, linear leaves. They have a blue-green to gray-green color and form a dense tuft or mound which serves as a lovely backdrop for the vivid flowers. The leaves are narrow and may have a slightly grass-like appearance, which contrasts well with the soft texture of the flowers. Overall, Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride' is renowned for its charming flowers and the delightful fragrance they produce, as well as the elegant, yet robust foliage that completes the plant's visual appeal. It is often used in garden borders, rock gardens, and containers, where it brings both color and scent to the setting.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Cheddar Pink, Clove Pink, Gillyflower, Pinks
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride', commonly known as the carnation, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, consuming large amounts of any part of the plant may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in some individuals. It is always advisable to avoid eating ornamental plants due to potential pesticide use and the possibility of unknown allergic reactions.
- To pets
  Carnations are considered to be mildly toxic to pets, including cats and dogs. When ingested, carnations can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, which may present as vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. The toxicity level is generally low, but it is always safer to prevent pets from nibbling on ornamental plants to avoid the possibility of more significant reactions in sensitive individuals.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot 6 inches (45.72 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30.48 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal - Adds vibrant colors and visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Ease of Care - Generally low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established.
- Drought Tolerance - Can tolerate periods of dryness, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Cold Resistance - Often hardy in cold climates, surviving frost and colder temperatures.
- Long Blooming Period - Offers a lengthy display of flowers, typically from late spring to early autumn.
- Attracts Pollinators - Draws in beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Compact Growth - Suitable for small spaces, borders, and containers due to its neat growth habit.
- Versatility - Can be used in a variety of garden styles, including cottage gardens, rockeries, and formal beds.
- Cut Flowers - Provides material for fresh floral arrangements with its attractive blossoms.
- Rapid Growth - Establishes quickly in the garden, providing fast results for gardeners.
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
- Pressed Flower Art: The colorful blooms of the Pink can be pressed and used in creating intricate and lasting floral designs for framed art and decorative crafts.
- Natural Dye: Pinks can be boiled to extract natural dyes for coloring fabrics, yarns, or even Easter eggs with subtle hues.
- Bookmarks: Dry and press the flowers of Pinks to make unique and botanical bookmarks that add a touch of nature to your reading experience.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not unusual for edible flowers, the petals of Pinks can add a splash of color and light clove-like flavor when used as a garnish for salads and desserts.
- Scented Letters and Cards: The petals from Pinks, with their spicy fragrance, can be included in envelopes to give letters and cards a pleasant scent when opened.
- Petal Confetti: Dried petals of Pinks can be used as a biodegradable confetti for weddings and other celebrations, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic confetti.
- Flavoring Agent: Certain species of dianthus are edible and their petals can be used to impart a sweet, spicy flavor to syrups, sugars, or beverages.
- Homemade Potpourri: The fragrant flowers of Pinks can be dried and mixed with other botanicals to create homemade potpourri that freshens up drawers, closets, and rooms.
- Floral “Ice Cubes”: Freeze small Pink blossoms in ice cube trays to create decorative “ice cubes” that add beauty to summertime punch bowls or cocktails.
- Natural Insect Repellant: While not proven, some gardeners use Pinks among their vegetable plots in belief that their strong scent may help to repel certain insects.

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, commonly known as Carnation, has been a symbol of love and affection, due to their long-lasting fragrance and vibrant colors.
- Distinction: The Latin name "Dianthus" means "divine flower," which can symbolize nobility and a desire to stand out.
- Admiration: Carnations are often given as a sign of admiration, making them a popular choice for bouquets to convey respect and fascination.
- Passion: With its rich hues, the Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride' particularly represents passion and deep love, often associated with the more intense colors like red.
- Devotion: These flowers have been associated with a deep sense of commitment and loyalty, reflecting in their long-lasting bloom.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Carnations, including the variety 'Suffolk Pride,' should be watered deeply whenever the soil feels dry to the touch, which usually equates to approximately 1 inch of water per week. This can mean watering once or twice a week, especially during dry periods without rainfall. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Overhead watering should be avoided to prevent issues like mildew. On average, this may translate to roughly 0.5 gallons for outdoor plants or, for potted specimens, enough water to see it just start to run through the drainage holes.
Light
Carnations prefer full sun exposure, which means they should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. An ideal spot would be a south-facing garden area or a windowsill that captures ample daylight. However, in regions with very intense midday sun, providing light shade during the hottest part of the day can help prevent the foliage from getting scorched.
Temperature
Carnations, such as the 'Suffolk Pride,' thrive in cooler conditions and can generally tolerate temperatures down to 20°F, though they are best grown where temperatures range between 50°F and 70°F. They can endure a maximum temperature of around 85°F before they start to experience stress. It's crucial to protect carnations from harsh winter winds if the temperature drops significantly below freezing.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnations prefer well-draining, slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.7 to 6.9. A mix combining two parts loam, one part sand, and one part compost provides optimal conditions for healthy growth.
Repotting
Carnations do not require frequent repotting and can typically be repotted every two to three years, or when they outgrow their current container.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations thrive in moderate humidity conditions, ideally around 40-50%, avoiding overly humid environments that may encourage fungal diseases.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in a sunny spot, ensure moderate humidity, and use well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Choose sunny location, plant in alkaline, well-drained soil, and space adequately.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride', commonly called Pinks, starts its life cycle from seed, where under appropriate conditions of moisture and temperature, it germinates and sprouts into a seedling. The seedling then develops true leaves and a robust root system as it enters the vegetative stage, growing steadily in size and strength. During the generative stage, the plant undergoes the transition from vegetative growth to flowering, producing its distinctive fragrant blossoms that display a variety of colors including the characteristic pink, red, or white associated with Pinks. After pollination, which can occur through the aid of insects or wind, the flowers form seed capsules, completing the reproductive stage by producing seeds for the next generation. Once seeds are dispersed, the parent plant continues its growth cycle by preparing for dormancy through the senescence of foliage, particularly in regions with cold winters, ensuring its survival during unfavorable conditions. Depending on the climate and care provided, Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride' can be a perennial, re-emerging from its root system each spring to begin the cycle anew.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- For Dianthus 'Suffolk Pride', often referred to as Pinks due to the fringed flower edges resembling pinking shears, the most popular method of propagation is by cuttings. This is typically done in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by cuttings, a gardener would select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a piece about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7 to 10 centimeters) long. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end may be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mix, ensuring at least one node is buried where leaves were removed. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged, and the cuttings should be placed in bright, indirect light until roots have developed, which usually takes a few weeks. Once rooted, the cuttings can be transplanted to their final growing location.