Background. Border carnations are a hardy member of the dianthus genus. Carnation is the national flower of Spain.

Traits

Carnations flower in late spring/summer to autumn. They enjoy sunny, well drained soil with a high ph level e.g. 6.5-7.5 (the same type of conditions used to grow beans and tomatoes). Carnations grow well in borders next to the house and in hanging baskets because those areas are usually well drained.

Growing tips

To raise the ph of the soil to a level of 6.5-7.5, add garden lime before planting. At the same time add nitrophoska blue and peat to make soil friable. An alternative to adding garden lime to increase the ph of the soil is to plant next to a house. The concrete in house foundations leaks lime and will raise the ph of the soil. Plants that look good and grow well next to carnations include: pansies, primulas, polyanthus and viscaria (they all enjoy the same conditions). Remove spent flowers to promote continuous flowering. Carnations can be trimmed if they go woody or start to fall over. Cut back with a pair of scissors. To get the best results avoid too much watering. Replant in spring and autumn to ensure your carnations flower and grow well.

Beware

If the soil gets too wet, carnations have a tendency to get fungus. They are also very attractive to cut worms - small brown caterpillars. Cut worms crawl along the ground and eat the bottom of the plant. Either watch out for cut worms and destroy, or put a small plastic container such as the body of an open milk container over the plant. This stops the caterpillars from being able to access the base of the plant.