Carnations are stunning members of the Dianthus genus with enticing flowers that produce a candy, spicy perfume. Carnations are fairly hardy herbaceous perennials that thrive in most gardens. On this article, I’ll share my expertise of the place to plant carnations for optimum development every season.

The place to Plant Carnations in Your Backyard
Plant carnations in a sunny, sheltered a part of your backyard. This protects them from robust winds. Select an space that receives roughly 4 to 6 hours of full solar all through the day. Goal to offer direct daylight within the morning as this will likely be much less intense than direct afternoon daylight.
Plant carnations in wealthy, well-draining soils which can be impartial or alkaline. Chalky, loamy, and sandy soils with pH ranges between 6.5 and eight.5 are superb. House your carnations roughly 6 to 12 inches away from different vegetation to advertise good air circulation.
What Situations Do Carnations Like?

Most varieties of carnations (Dianthus) are native to grasslands and open habitats throughout Asia and Europe. Nevertheless, some species are additionally present in elements of Africa and North America, the place they’ve turn into naturalized. Some carnations are low-growing alpine vegetation that thrive in mountainous meadows and rocky slopes.
Carnations develop finest in USDA Zones 3 to eight and like cooler temperatures. These hardy vegetation are herbaceous perennials that die again in winter earlier than reemerging in spring. Nevertheless, carnations might battle if nighttime temperatures drop beneath freezing.
Carnations thrive in sunny habitats and wish roughly 4 to 6 hours of full solar day by day. That mentioned, most carnations can even tolerate partial shade. Nevertheless, carnations can’t tolerate full shade and will not flower in the event that they don’t get sufficient daylight.
How Tall and Broad Do Carnations Develop?

Most carnations develop between 0.5 and a couple of toes tall and roughly 10 to 14 inches extensive. Many varieties of carnations are upright, clump-forming vegetation. Nevertheless, some alpine carnations are low-growing vegetation that produce mats of grass-like foliage and small flowers. A few of these carnations solely develop a number of inches tall.
Soil Necessities for Carnations

Carnations want fertile, well-draining soils that present good aeration. Carnations develop properly in dry to moist soils however hate sitting in saturated soils. As such, carnations will be weak to overwatering. Carnations additionally favor impartial to alkaline soils with a pH vary between 6.5 and eight.5.
Chalky, sandy, or loamy soils are excellent for carnations as a result of these mediums present glorious drainage. Add some additional compost to chalky or sandy soils to offer extra vitamins to your carnations. Chalky soils work particularly properly for carnations as a result of they’re often alkaline.
Can Carnations Develop in Pots?
Carnations are versatile vegetation that develop properly in pots as a result of their compact measurement. Guarantee your carnations have wealthy, well-draining soil, and fertilize them each few months. Carnations rising in containers (or from seed) ought to be watered weekly if the highest few inches of soil really feel dry. Water extra often in sizzling, dry summers.
In case you stay in a colder space that experiences heavy frosts, it’s finest to develop carnations in pots. This lets you shield your carnations by bringing them indoors or wrapping the pots in fleece throughout harsh winters.
The place to Plant Carnations FAQs:
The place is the Greatest Place to Plant Carnations?
The most effective place to plant carnations is in a sunny, sheltered spot. Carnations require 4 to 6 hours of full solar on daily basis. Carnations must also be planted in fertile soils with glorious drainage. Chalky, loamy, or sandy soils amended with some additional compost are superb.
Can Carnations Keep Exterior in Winter?
Carnations can keep outdoors through the winter in Zones 3 to eight. Carnations are pretty hardy vegetation that thrive in cooler temperatures. Nevertheless, if temperatures drop beneath freezing, deliver your carnations indoors in case you can.
Do Carnations Like Full Solar or Shade?
Carnations favor full solar, however most varieties can even tolerate partial shade. Most carnations want roughly 4 to 6 hours of full solar on daily basis. East or south-facing elements are perfect for carnations, however they’ll battle to develop and flower in full shade.
Do Carnations Come Again Each 12 months?
Carnations are herbaceous perennials that develop again yearly. They die again through the winter however regrow when spring arrives. Carnations are perennial in Zones 3 to eight.
How Do You Plant Carnations Exterior?
Dig a gap as deep because the nursery pot containing your carnation. Plant your carnation and fill in round it with wealthy, well-draining soil. House carnations roughly 6 to 12 inches aside to advertise good air circulation, and it’s prudent to deadhead carnations all through the rising season.
The place to Plant Carnations – Wrapping Up
Carnations are versatile perennials that thrive in Zones 3 to eight. Plant carnations in sunny, sheltered spots with fertile, well-draining soils. Carnations want roughly 4 to 6 hours of full solar through the day. Carnations additionally develop properly in pots as a result of their compact measurement.
For extra, see our in-depth information to carnation rising zones and native ranges, the makes use of and advantages of carnation flowers, tips about managing non-flowering carnations, stunning flowers that pair properly with carnations, propagate and transplant carnation flowers in your backyard, and why the carnation is Ohio’s State Flower and Spain’s Nationwide Flower.