Dianthus plumarius Warden Hybrid

Dianthus 'Warden Hybrid' is a pink with a pleasant, long summer flowering period that extends from May to July. Its double flowers have laciniate magenta-crimson petals. It is distinguished by its pronounced fragrance. Particularly suitable for container cultivation due to its small size and floribundity, it is also an excellent perennial for sunny borders, where it forms persistent cushions of beautiful grey-blue foliage even in winter.

Dianthus 'Warden Hybrid' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars resulting from cross-breeding D. plumarius and D. caryophyllus. D. plumarius is a European perennial that is the main ancestor of the different groups of both old-fashioned and modern pinks and carnations. D. caryophyllus is Mediterranean, and it has passed down to its descendants its wonderful clove-like fragrance and its good tolerance for calcareous and dry soils. Its growth rate is quite rapid. Its adult size will not exceed 10cm (4in) in height with a spread of 30cm (12in) or more. This pink forms a dense clump. From May to July, it produces large, round, double flowers measuring 4 to 5 cm (2in) in diameter, with laciniate petals. They are carried at the end of short, often ramified stems. Its linear, glabrous, pointed, evergreen, and leathery leaves are a superb grey-blue colour.

Dianthus 'Warden Hybrid' is a very attractive plant for patios or balconies. It is hardy to at least -15°C (5°F). It is undemanding in terms of water, but loves the sun. It will thrive in well-drained borders, embankments, and rockeries. Its beautiful fragrant flowers bring undeniable charm to even the simplest decor. For example, it can be placed in front of other carnations ('Devon Dove', 'Cranmere Pool', 'Devon Cream', 'Letitia Wyatt', 'Whatfield Gem'), or with the blue bells of wood hyacinths, lavender-blue catmints, and small lavenders, or flowering cushions like helianthemums, catchflies, wall bellflowers, Caucasian rock cress, moss phlox, Erigeron karvinskianus, and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). To evoke old-fashioned gardens, a small border of these lovely pinks can be planted at the base of peony clumps and old roses. This plant forms a beautiful edging between the stones of a wall or path, in a trough or in a garden container.