Planting, caring for and overwintering carnations
Carnations are extremely easy to care for, robust and beautiful. That's why they are one of the most popular plants for the garden and balcony. They have completely shed their dusty image, because the elegant beauties are real classics and have wonderful, wonderful and magnificent flowers in many shapes and colors. How do you plant and care for carnations? Are they hardy or do they have to go to winter quarters? Are there perennial varieties of cloves that you can use for a long time?
Where do cloves come from?
Cloves come from the Mediterranean and have been used since ancient times ornamental plants cultivated. Very common species are Heather cloves, bearded carnations and feather carnations. The variety of carnation varieties is unbeatable, as there are over 27,000 registered carnation varieties.
Most carnations bloom from late May or June throughout the summer and well into fall.
The botanical genus name Dianthus means Zeus flower or God's flower and comes from ancient Greek. Carnations are also very symbolic flowers, because carnations used to be the identifying symbol of the socialist workers' movement in the GDR, since the 15th century. In the 19th century, white carnations were also a sign of love and marriage.
What types of carnations are there?
In total there are over 27,000 species. To list them all here would go beyond the scope. The most popular include the following:
The Barnacle has always belonged in every farm garden, is usually a two-year-old and sows itself in good locations.
Pot carnations are attractive and vigorously flowering balcony and terrace plants that...
They smell the most wonderful Pentecost carnations and those descended from them English carnations. The plants thrive in a bucket or box on the balcony, as well as in sunny places in the bed or Rock garden very comfortable.
The Stone carnation is, as the name suggests, the ideal choice for stony embankments. She cares just like the varieties of the Summer carnations also between stones and gravel for bright colors.
Where is the best location for carnations?
Carnations prefer a sunny location. The permeable and humus-rich soil produces a particularly large number of fragrant flowers. However, waterlogging should be avoided, otherwise there is a risk of root rot. Mix horn shavings or compost under the substrate.
In addition to being kept outdoors, they are also ideal for the pot, flower box or bucket on the balcony or the terrace suitable.
How and when do you plant carnations?
The ideal time to plant carnations is spring. When planting carnations in the outdoor bed, maintain a distance of 20 to 30 cm, depending on the type and variety. On average, there are between 10 and 18 plants per square meter. All information about the correct individual planting distance for the respective carnation variety can also be found on the planting label from the nursery.
Cloves can be propagated in different ways. Cuttings are the easiest option; shoot tips without flowers are cut off to a length of 8 to 10 cm in early summer. All leaves are removed from the lower half of the cutting. The cuttings are placed in fresh potting soil with 50% coarse sand.
Short-lived species such as heather or bearded carnations can also be sown well, and they often even sow themselves again.
How do you properly care for cloves?
Cloves require little water because the grass-like leaves allow very little moisture to evaporate, and the leaves are also covered with a layer of wax. Fertilization can be largely avoided as it is not absolutely necessary. However, you should regularly remove wilted flower stalks to make room for new flowers.
Even in pots, carnations require little care. Drainable soil is important in pot culture; it is best to mix it garden soil with 20 to 30% coarse sand. This means the carnations also feel comfortable in the pot. If the summer is particularly dry, the otherwise easy-care bearded carnation needs regular lime-free water.
Can carnations overwinter outside?
When it comes to winter, it all depends on the type of carnation. Almost all perennial carnation varieties show good winter hardiness as long as the soil is permeable enough and does not get too wet in winter. Rock garden types occasionally suffer from snowless frosts because they lack their natural winter protection, the snow cover. These species should be protected with a fleece cover in winter.
perennial cloves need a protected location outdoors to overwinter. They can also be covered with pine branches. They can overwinter well in a planter in a sheltered location with little rain.
Carnations come in every shape and color imaginable. The variety of varieties is immense and they are absolutely undemanding and easy to care for. They are available as annual, but also perennial and even winter-hardy plants. Carnations are a dream of classic, elegant beauty and are very much on the rise again. All you have to do is decide on your personal, colorful, flower-rich version for the garden and balcony.
