Dianthus Albus Plenus - seeds

The 'Albus Plenus' carnation is a double-flowered and fringed dianthus, very fragrant and pure white. It blooms throughout the summer and is perfect for creating fragrant bouquets for the home. These plants are perennial and hardy, quickly forming dense cushions of fine, often evergreen, beautiful blue-green leaves. They are ideal for borders and flowerbeds, tolerating drought and limestone, but they will flower more abundantly with regular watering.

'Albus Plenus' belongs to the caryophyllaceae family. It is a variety resulting from the cross-breeding between D. plumarius and D. caryophyllus. Dianthus plumarius is a European perennial and the main ancestor of the different groups of carnation, whether old-fashioned or modern. Dianthus caryophyllus is Mediterranean, and it has passed on to its descendants, among other traits, its wonderful clove fragrance. The growth of this dianthus is quite fast, and the plants stand out for their vigour and abundant flowering. They will reach a mature size of approximately 30 cm in height with a similar spread. These dianthus form dense clumps, from which very fragrant flowers emerge at the top of sturdy stems, usually one per stem, from May to June and longer if the soil remains moist. The linear, smooth, leathery leaves are a superb grey-blue and persist throughout the winter.

Dianthus 'Albus Plenus' is a lovely plant for sunny borders and flowerbeds. Placed near the house, it diffuses its sweet fragrance, which can then be enjoyed in bouquets inside the house, especially since this variety is highly fragrant. In the garden, it pairs well with other flowering cushions such as rockroses, catchflies, bellflowers, Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus), and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). Also consider catmints, columbines, and pincushion flowers (Scabiosa). Carnations also adapt well to container gardening, as long as there is proper drainage and watering, with some fertiliser added.