Overview
Dianthus freynii var. nana is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Dianthus, part of the Caryophyllaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Dianthus freynii var. nana 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 freynii var. nana is an herbaceous perennial in the carnation family that forms compact, well-branched cushions with evergreen foliage. It produces flowers from May to September. The plant prefers full sun and well-drained soils and tolerates a wide range of pH and soil textures.
About the genus
Dianthus is a genus of about 340 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species in northern and southern Africa, and one species (D. repens) in arctic North America. Common names include carnation (D.
Wikipedia contributors, "Dianthus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dianthus
In the garden
Dianthus freynii var. nana belongs to the Caryophyllaceae and grows as a small, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with persistent leaves. Flowering runs from May to September, providing a prolonged season of interest while the evergreen foliage supplies structure outside the flowering months. Give it a sunny, south-, west- or east-facing spot with freely draining soil; sandy, loamy or even clay soils are acceptable provided drainage is good. It tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline pH, and performs where soil is well drained or only seasonally moist. The H6 hardiness rating means it is very hardy in UK gardens, so plant out once risk of severe frost has passed; containers are possible if compost is sharp and drainage excellent. Use this Dianthus in gravel or rock gardens, on banks and slopes, in city courtyards and coastal situations, or to underplant roses and larger shrubs. It also suits wallside borders, patio containers and mixed flower beds where a persistent mound of foliage and a long flowering season are wanted. Its evergreen leaves provide year-round structure while the flowering display runs from May to September.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Dianthus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Dianthus freynii var. nana 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 freynii var. nana
- 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 freynii var. nana?
Dianthus freynii var. nana prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Dianthus freynii var. nana need?
Dianthus freynii var. nana is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to moist but well-drained.
Is Dianthus freynii var. nana hardy in the UK?
Dianthus freynii var. nana 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 freynii var. nana?
Softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer,Layering after flowering.
More in the Dianthus genus
- Dianthus 'Coronation'Carnation
- Dianthus 'Mrs Sinkins'
- Dianthus 'Thomas'Carnation
- Dianthus caryophyllus 'Wesever'PBRCarnation
- Dianthus fruticosus subsp. carpathus
- Dianthus sp. (coll. Romania)
- Dianthus 'Bat's Double Red'
- Dianthus 'Brympton Red'Pink