Dianthus 'Charles Musgrave'
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Dianthus 'Charles Musgrave' $9.95• common names: dianthus, garden pink
• flowering season: May and June
• height: 8 to 15 inches
• Light requirements: full sun for the best flowering, although the plant will grow in less light
• Soil requirements: average garden soil that is well drained; adding limestone to the soil when planting is appreciated because it enjoys a sweet soil, although it isn't absolutely necessary
• Water requirments: water young plants regularly; older plants can be drought resistant
• Growth habit: a low cushion-shaped plant that spreads moderately
• How to propagate: take tip cuttings in early summer, or peg-down a side shoot after slicing halfway through it with a knife
• Leaf type: narrow glaucous-green leaves 1 to 1½ inches long
• Ways to use: for a sunny spot in a garden; shearing back a plant by a third or a half once a year is recommended
• Special characteristics: the exceptionally nice flowers are richly fragrant
This variety has been around for many years. Sometimes it goes by the name of ‘Jealousy.’ It is extremely fragrant and is notable for its unusually colored eye of green. It has one fault, that it tends to be untidy, sprawling about, especially when it is in flower. So sticking in some short, branched pea sticks in spring as support when it starts to grow might be a good thought. Later in the year the support can be removed and the plant sheared back to keep it ship shape until the following spring. With fairly long stems, its flowers are good for a bouquet. USDA Zones 5 - 9.