Dianthus plumarius David

Dianthus plumarius 'David' is a charming carnation that doesn't grow very tall. It forms an evergreen cushion with a greenish-blue hue from which numerous double flowers of a bright red colour emerge from May-June to September, endowed with an authentic carnation fragrance. This undemanding perennial is a timeless classic that lends itself to all uses. It will thrive in the sun, in well-drained soil, even if dry in summer. Plant this carnation in a rockery, on a wall, in a planter, or in a raised bed; it will flower in these conditions for many years in the garden.

'David' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars derived from Dianthus plumarius, a European perennial that is the main ancestor of various types of carnations, both old-fashioned and modern. Its growth rate is quite fast. Its adult size will not exceed 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) in height with a spread of 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in). This carnation forms a grassy tuft, composed of fine linear evergreen foliage with a bluish tint. Branched floral stems emerge from late spring to the end of summer. They bear clusters of slightly flattened double flowers with laciniate petals of a bright crimson colour. Their pronounced fragrance is reminiscent of cloves. The more it is pruned, the more it shows its floriferous nature.

Dianthus plumarius 'David' is ideal for borders, embankments, and dry rockeries. It is also perfect in planters and bouquets. It can accompany other flowering cushions such as helianthemums, silenes, dwarf artemisia (Artemisia lanata), wall bellflower, Caucasian rock cress, creeping phlox, Delosperma cooperi, or Erigeron karvinskianus and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). This plant looks lovely between the stones of a wall or paving, or planted en masse in a sunny garden. It adapts very well to pot culture, in lightweight soil, with careful watering.