Carnation Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' is a visually striking plant that stands out for its distinctive flowers and foliage. The blooms are particularly eye-catching, featuring a blend of colors that typically includes shades of pink, red, or white. Each petal often has a frilled or serrated edge, which adds to the overall textured appearance of the flower. The flowers are notable for their sweet, spicy fragrance that can add an aromatic dimension to any garden. Sitting beneath these attractive blooms, the foliage of Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' is no less appealing. It usually consists of slender, linear leaves that have a blue-green or gray-green hue. The leaves are typically arranged in a dense, tufted fashion, creating a lovely contrast with the vibrant colors of the flowers above. Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' blooms tend to be clustered together at the top of slender, sturdy stems, with multiple flowers often forming a tight bunch. This compact and neat flowering habit makes it an excellent choice for borders, beds, or as part of a rock garden where its bursts of color can truly shine. Overall, the exquisite combination of fragrant, colorful flowers and attractive, lance-shaped foliage makes Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' a highly desirable addition to any outdoor space, providing both visual and olfactory interest throughout its blooming period.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae.
- Synonyms
  Zoe's Choice Dianthus, Zoe's Choice Pink, Cheddar Pink, Sweet William.
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The common name for Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' is Dianthus. Dianthus plants are generally not considered poisonous to humans. If ingested, they are not likely to cause any significant symptoms or toxicity. However, some people may experience a mild gastrointestinal upset if they consume parts of the plant. It is always wise to avoid eating any plant unless it is known to be safe for consumption.
- To pets
  The common name for Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' is Dianthus. Dianthus plants are generally considered non-toxic to pets. If your pet happens to ingest part of a Dianthus plant, it is unlikely to experience any serious symptoms or toxic effects. However, as with any non-food plant ingestion, some mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea is possible, especially if the pet is not used to eating plant material.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  1 feet (0.3 meters)
- Spread
  1 feet (0.3 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' is known to attract butterflies and bees, which are beneficial for pollinating garden plants and flowers.
- Low Maintenance: This variety of dianthus is easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established, making it a good choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
- Long Blooming: Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' typically has a long flowering season, offering vibrant colors in the garden for an extended period.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this plant is quite drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for water-wise landscaping.
- Ground Cover: The dense growth habit of Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' makes it an excellent ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and reduce soil erosion.
- Edging Plant: Its compact size and attractive foliage make it an ideal choice for borders and edging in garden beds and pathways.
- Colorful Foliage: Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' often has blue-green or gray-green foliage that provides contrast and interest in the garden, even when the plant is not in bloom.
- Fragrance: The flowers of Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' are noted for their sweet fragrance, which can add a pleasant scent to the garden or when used as cut flowers indoors.
- Versatility: This plant can be used in various garden settings, including rock gardens, containers, and as part of a mixed flower border.
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 'Zoe's Choice' can be used for natural dyeing, as the petals contain pigments that may produce lovely shades of pink or light red on fabrics.
- These flowers are suitable for pressing and inclusion in handmade paper, providing texture and color to the final product.
- The plant is a good candidate for dried flower arrangements, retaining its shape and color well when air-dried.
- Petals of this variety can be frozen in ice cubes to add a decorative touch to summery drinks or punch bowls.
- In crafting, the petals can be used to create botanical prints on paper or fabric by hammering or pressing them to release natural colors.
- The sturdy stems of Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' can be used in miniature construction projects, such as creating small trellises for model gardens.
- When in full bloom, they can serve as a natural moth deterrent when placed in wardrobes or drawers.
- The subtle fragrance of the flowers can be captured by infusing them in oils or waxes to create natural perfumes or scented candles.
- These flowers can also be used in potpourri mixes, contributing both color and a gentle, lasting scent to the blend.
- Cut blossoms can be used as a natural plant-based confetti for outdoor celebrations, reducing litter and environmental impact.

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: Dianthus is often associated with love, affection, and admiration, which is reflected in its name that translates to "flower of the gods" in Greek.
- Passion: The vibrant colors and spicy fragrance of Dianthus, also known as "pinks" or "carnations," symbolize deep passion and romantic feelings.
- Admiration: Carnations are given as a sign of admiration and fascination, making them a popular choice for expressing these emotions.
- Distinction: The unique, frilled edges and variety of patterns of the Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' signify distinction and individuality.
- Divine Love: From its etymological roots to its enduring presence, Dianthus has been linked to utmost forms of love, suggesting a transcendent, divine quality.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Carnations require regular but moderate watering, ensuring the soil is kept moist but not waterlogged. Water the Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' deeply once a week with approximately one gallon of water, adjusting frequency based on weather conditions—more often during hot, dry spells and less during cool, rainy periods. It is vital to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot, which carnations are particularly susceptible to. The watering method should be to water at the base of the plant, rather than overhead, to keep the foliage dry and prevent disease.
Light
Carnations thrive in full sun, so it's best to place Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' in a location where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Ensure the plant is situated in a spot that has bright, unfiltered light for the majority of the day for optimal growth and bloom production.
Temperature
Carnations prefer cooler temperatures and can generally tolerate temperatures between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range for flourishing Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice' is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive light frosts, but consistently high temperatures or severe frosts can be detrimental to the plant.
Pruning
Pruning carnations encourages a bushier plant and more blooms. For Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice', deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote further blooming and trim back the plant by one-third in early spring to help rejuvenate its growth. It's also beneficial to do light pruning after a major flush of blooms to keep the plant tidy and healthy.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
For Dianthus, commonly known as pinks, the best soil mix is a well-draining loam with some organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. It should be slightly alkaline with a pH range of 6.7 to 7.3. Add a little sand or fine grit to improve drainage if needed.
Repotting
Pinks, including Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice', typically don't need to be repotted often. They should be repotted once every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their current container.
Humidity & Misting
Dianthus, or pinks, prefer average to low humidity levels, consistent with their natural habitat. They will thrive in typical household humidity conditions without the need for additional humidity.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place pinks in bright, indirect light and ensure good air flow.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun with well-draining soil and space for air flow.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice', commonly known as Carnation or Pink, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in fertile, well-drained soil after the danger of frost has passed. Germination occurs within a week to two, given proper warmth and moisture conditions. The seedlings develop true leaves and are eventually transplanted or thinned, allowing adequate space for growth. As a perennial, it enters a vegetative stage where it grows foliage and stems, preparing for the flowering phase which occurs in late spring or early summer, showcasing a range of colorful blossoms. After flowering, if not deadheaded, it may produce seeds that can be collected for subsequent planting. Carnations enter a period of dormancy in winter, especially in colder climates, reducing metabolic activity to survive until the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Dianthus 'Zoe's Choice', commonly known as the Pink, is typically propagated by taking stem cuttings. The best time for taking cuttings is in late spring to early summer, when the plant is growing vigorously. To propagate through cuttings, you would select a healthy stem with several sets of leaves, and cut a 4 to 6-inch length (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters), just below a node. Strip the lower leaves, leaving a few at the top, and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Then, insert the cutting into a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite or a standard potting mix, pressing the mix around the stem to provide support. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the pot in a well-lit area out of direct sunlight. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new plants can eventually be transplanted outdoors.