Dianthus gratianopolitanus Bombardier

Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bombardier' is a particularly floriferous and fragrant variety of miniature carnation. Forming a dense cushion, this variety is covered with a myriad of small vivid red double flowers that are pleasantly scented during the summer. Its delicate foliage persists more or less during winter, adding decorative touches of green-blue to borders and rockeries. Easy to grow, combining generosity, an undemanding nature, and delicacy, this small plant will thrive in well-drained soil. It can also be grown on a patio or balcony, creating adorable pots that are both colourful and fragrant from June to October.

'Bombardier' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It comes from Dianthus gratianopolitanus, also known as the blue-grey carnation, Grenoble carnation, or Pentecost carnation, native to Europe and Asia. This carnation has a fast growth rate. Its adult size will not exceed 15cm (6in) in height with a spread of 40cm (16in) or more. This plant forms a small prostrate cushion with a tapetum stump. Its linear, semi-evergreen, and leathery leaves are a beautiful grey-green colour. The flowering period lasts for 3 months, starting in May and continuing until July if the soil is not too dry. The plant is then covered with small fiery red double flowers composed of toothed petals. They appear at the top of generally uniflorous stiff and leafy stems. The flowers are highly fragrant.

'Bombardier' is suitable for embankments and rockeries. It prefers a sunny spot and well-drained soils. It tolerates poor and chalky soils. It can be accompanied by other flowering cushions such as helianthemums, silenes, dwarf artemisia (Artemisia lanata), wall bellflower, Caucasian rock cress, Phlox subulata, Delosperma cooperi, Erigeron karvinskianus, and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). This plant looks pretty between the stones of a wall or pavement, or in a garden pot. It can also be planted en masse along pathways, or to highlight the edge of a flower bed where it forms beautiful, vivid red and fragrant carpets throughout the summer. It adapts very well to cultivation in pots and containers, provided that watering is more frequent and regular fertilisation is applied.