Carnations, Pinks and Sweet Williams: A Guide to Growing Dianthus
By Kevin Pilley
One of the worst mistakes any gardener can make is thinking that a Laced Monarch is a butterfly. Or confusing Chianti with Candyfloss. Or a Laced Romeo with a Maiden. And not being able to recognise a gillyflower by its scent alone.
That’s almost as bad – and as embarrassing – as mistaking the Duchess of Roxburghe for the Duke of Norfolk, or the Princess of Wales for the Earl of Sussex. Or confusing Dubai with Damascus.
But none of these are quite as horticulturally humbling as the faux pas of thinking a sweet William is a carnation, or a carnation is a sweet William – and not knowing the difference (or indeed the lack of it) between a clove pink and a carnation. Or a carnadine.
In other words, to know very little indeed about the gillyflower, the Flower of the Gods.
And to demonstrate openly your ignorance of the symbol of socialism, the national flower of Spain, Monaco and Slovenia, the state flower of Ohio, and the colourful, fragrant, frilly, ruffled, serrated-edged, glaucous, short-lived herbal perennials traditionally worn by students during examinations at Oxford University – and of no known value to wildlife.
And one of the most popular cottage garden plants: Dianthus, the original cut flower.
But the greatest howler of all is not knowing about – let alone visiting or ordering from – Allwoods Nursery, which has specialised in the genus Dianthus since 1910. It was founded by three brothers – Montaqu, Edward and George Allwood – who revolutionised plant breeding. Many of the early varieties bred at Hassocks in Sussex are still as popular as ever, such as the garden centre staple “Doris”. Although bred in 1945, it is still considered a modern pink.
Most garden centres only stock common cultivars such as Cranmere Pool, Granny’s Favourite, Letitia Wyatt, Mrs Siskins and Haytor. But there are over 400 varieties – many of which can be seen, admired and smelled at Allwoods. Including centuries-old heritage cultivars like Pheasant Eye, which dates back to the pre-1600s.
“Spray carnations are the original cut flower variety, although no longer used in commercial production. They date back to the early 1900s, with many developed and bred by Montagu Allwood. They’re commonly referred to as Old Greenhouse Carnations,” says David James, who rescued the nursery and its extensive collection in 1994.
Queen of Sheba and Marmion
“Cultivated in greenhouses”
Available are very old specimens such as the sixteenth-century Painted Lady, the seventeenth-century Queen of Sheba, and the eighteenth-century Daisy Gem.
“Some perpetual carnations date back to the 1800s and were bred from the now obscure tree carnation. They were once known as the aristocrats of the carnation world, planted to decorate big country houses. Sadly, most have now been lost to cultivation – but we have the only six Malmaison varieties left in the world: Old Blush (pre-1857), Duchess of Westminster (1902), Thora (1898), Princess of Wales (1876), Tayside Red (1916) and Marmion (pre-1913).”
Other 100-year-old plants include Fortuna, Freda, Susan and Edward Allwood. Alice was bred in 1930.
“You can only find these in specialist nurseries like ours. We’re dedicated to keeping these old varieties alive.”
David James’s parents ran the Vernon Geranium Nursery in Cheam, Surrey, which expanded into the biggest mail-order supplier of pelargoniums in Europe. It was later sold to Thompson & Morgan. Allwoods (www.allwoods.net) now also sells fuchsias and succulents.
“Most garden centres are just retail stores that also have plants,” adds David.
Every Dianthus lover knows that the three garden favourites are:
- D. caryophyllus (carnations)
- D. plumarius (garden pinks)
- D. barbatus (sweet Williams)
Carnations are divided into perpetual-flowering or exhibition carnations, border carnations, and pot carnations. The former bloom year-round and are cultivated in greenhouses for exhibiting and floriculture. Pot carnations are compact evergreens (about 25cm) and often produce semi-double flowers. Border carnations are the most familiar to the average gardener.
Dwarf varieties include Dainty Dame and Pixie Star, and alpines such as Little Jock and Annabell.
Perfect and Old Blush
“Prolong the flowering”
Every student and enthusiast of Dianthus knows they prefer light, clay-free, sandy or gravelly loam amended with peat moss or compost. Soil should be slightly to moderately alkaline, free-draining, and in a sunny, sheltered position. Many varieties require staking.
David continues: “We have twenty different varieties of greenhouse carnations – or perpetual-flowering carnations, as they’re also known. Dawn goes back to 1906, Shot Silk to 1925, and Doris Allwood to 1937. Perpetual-flowering carnations are best grown in pots, as they do not like to be waterlogged.”
Those who have studied Dianthus will know that, to ensure the best flowering results, side shoots should be removed to focus on one main bloom. Deadheading will also prolong the flowering period.
To avoid any calamitous gardening gaffes, remember that Dianthus is derived from the Ancient Greek words for divine (dios) and flower (anthos).
The name carnation likely comes from the Latin corona (wreath, garland, chaplet, crown), or caro (flesh), referring to the natural colour of the flower—or possibly incarnatio, as in incarnation: God made flesh.
And, of course, clove pinks are so named because they smell of cloves. And that pinks come in every colour. And that the term “pinks” comes from the petal edges, which look as though they were cut with a tailor’s decorative pinking scissors.
If you consult the Allwood site and its 2025 catalogue, you’ll also discover some of the best new Dianthus cultivars: Cerise Amerlie, Australian Mystery, Kessock Big Dazzler, Wow and Perfect.
Kevin Pilley is a former professional cricketer and the ex-chief staff writer of PUNCH magazine. His humour, travel, lifestyle and food & drink work appears worldwide. He has been published by over 600 titles. Allegedly.
