Overview
Dianthus serotinus is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Dianthus, part of the Caryophyllaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Dianthus serotinus 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 serotinus, called the late pink, late-coming pink, late carnation or late-coming carnation due to its tendency to bloom from June to October, is a species of Dianthus native to the Pannonian Basin of Hungary and nearby areas. It prefers to grow in the sand-steppe or other sandy soils. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS 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. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dianthus serotinus
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
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 serotinus 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 serotinus
- 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 serotinus?
Dianthus serotinus prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Dianthus serotinus need?
Dianthus serotinus 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 serotinus hardy in the UK?
Dianthus serotinus 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 serotinus?
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