We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Dianthus caryophyllus - L.

Common Name Carnation, Clove Pink, Border Carnation
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 6-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats A plant of limestone soils, it is often found on old walls in Britain[17].
Range Europe - W. and S. France. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Dianthus caryophyllus Carnation, Clove Pink, Border Carnation


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gc17_dianthus_caryophyllus.jpg
Dianthus caryophyllus Carnation, Clove Pink, Border Carnation
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:W_carnation4051.jpg

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Dianthus caryophyllus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses: Condiment

The flower petals have a strong smell of cloves and are candied, used as a garnish in salads, for flavouring fruit, fruit salads etc. They can also be used as a substitute for rose petals in making a syrup[183, 238]. The petals should be removed from the calyx and their bitter white base should be removed[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Cardiotonic  Diaphoretic  Febrifuge  Nervine  Stimulant

Carnation flowers are an aromatic, stimulant herb that has been used in tonic cordials in the past to treat fevers, though this use is now obsolete[238]. It is traditionally prescribed in European herbal medicine to treat coronary and nervous disorders[254]. The flowers are considered to be alexiteric, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic and nervine[240]. The plant has been used as a vermifuge in China[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Essential  Soap

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers[46, 171]. It is used in perfumery. 500kg of flowers produce 100g of oil[61]. The flowers are harvested when they are fully open in the morning, preferably after 3 hours exposure to sunlight[238]. The flower heads are dried and used in pot-pourri, scented sachets and cosmetic products[238, 268]. The plant is quite rich in saponins. The leaves can be simmered in water and this water can then be used as a soap for cleaning the skin, clothes etc[201].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in a sunny position in most good soils[111, 200] tolerating a pH range from 6 to 8 but disliking acid soils[200]. A very tolerant plant, succeeding in the salt laden air and strong winds of the coast as well as in the sulphur polluted air of cities[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], the carnation is widely cultivated in the flower garden and is grown commercially in France for its essential oil[46]. There are many named varieties[200]. The flowers of the species have a rich clove-like perfume, though almost no scent is present in the orange and yellow-flowering cultivars[245]. The flowers are very attractive to butterflies and moths[17]. Plants are prone to mildew or leaf spot in humid climates[201]. Special Features:Edible, Not North American native, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in slight heat in a greenhouse[1]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in July[1]. Cuttings of non-flowering basal shoots, June/July in a frame[200]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dianthus anatolicus Perennial0.4 5-9  LMHND01 
Dianthus barbatusSweet WilliamPerennial0.6 4-10 MLMHNDM10 
Dianthus chinensisChinese Pink, Rainbow pink, Annual Pink, China PinkPerennial0.7 5-8 MLMHNDM03 
Dianthus gratianopolitanusCheddar PinkPerennial0.3 3-7  LMHND003
Dianthus plumariusPink, Feathered pink, Cottage PinkPerennial0.4 4-9  LMHNDM10 
Dianthus superbusFringed PinkPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM23 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

[email protected]   Mon Sep 18 2006

Considering that such as Taiwan is booming market for organic produce is it not ridiculous that the EU argue economic advantage in growing GMO Carnations?

oogala boogala   Wed Mar 12 2008

THANK U SOOOO MUCH!!! i have a science paper due and this site was sooo helpful that i found the last info i nedded!

amal frghaly   Thu Apr 16 2009

Thanks, I want to know more information about chemical analysis of Carnation and uses in control diseases.

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Dianthus caryophyllus  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.