Overview
Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b) is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Dianthus, part of the Caryophyllaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b) grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include gravel garden, city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, low maintenance, wall side borders, banks and slopes, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' is a bushy, evergreen perennial cultivar within the Dianthus genus, known for its slender foliage and prominent flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils ranging from chalk to sand, with a preference for neutral to alkaline pH. Hardy to UK zone H6, it suits a variety of garden settings including gravel, rock, cottage, and coastal gardens, as well as patios and containers. This cultivar flowers in summer and is suitable for use in flower borders, underplanting, and as cut flowers, requiring protection from winter wet.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Dianthus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b) size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Low Maintenance, Wall side borders, Banks and slopes, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b)
- Propagation
- Softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer,Layering after flowering
- Pest resistance
- Slugs,Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews,Rust,Fusarium wilt
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b)?
Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b) prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b) need?
Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b) is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b) hardy in the UK?
Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b) has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b)?
Softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer,Layering after flowering.
More in the Dianthus genus
- Dianthus 'Activa' (pf)
- Dianthus 'Alanya' (pf)
- Dianthus 'Aldridge Yellow' (b)
- Dianthus 'Allen's Maria' (p)
- Dianthus 'Alpine Purple' (pt)
- Dianthus 'Amazon Neon Duo' (Amazon Series)
- Dianthus 'Anders Pretty Penny' (p)
- Dianthus 'Anders Royal Purple' (pf)