Dianthus gratianopolitanus Whatfield Gem

Dianthus Whatfield Gem is a lovely miniature carnation, derived from a montane species called blue carnation, Grenoble carnation or Pentecost carnation. This plant has retained the very compact habit of its ancestor and its sweet and spicy fragrance, but it produces surprising double flowers for several weeks, of a beautiful size considering the reduced height of the plant, but above all beautifully variegated with ruby red and white on a light pink background. A true gem for rockeries, walls, and flowering pots, to be grown in full sun.

The 'Whatfield Gem' carnation belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a recent English cultivar derived from Dianthus gratianopolitanus, native to European mountains. This carnation grows rapidly. Its adult size will not exceed 12-15cm (5-6in) in height when flowering with a spread of 40cm (16in) or more. This plant forms a small prostrate cushion-like clump with a creeping base. Its linear leaves, often evergreen, are coriaceous and of a superb grey-blue colour. Flowering takes place in May and June, until August if the soil is not too dry. The plant is then covered with beautiful double flowers, slightly tousled, with fringed petals, a light and fresh pink colour, randomly striped and sprinkled with dark red and white spots. Their fragrance reaches level 3 on a scale of 5. They bloom at the top of stiff and very short stems, generally one-flowered.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Whatfield Gem' is a sturdy plant despite its precious flower appearance, perfectly adapted to poor soil on slopes and rockeries. It can accompany other undemanding flowering cushions such as alpine asters, dwarf artemisia, Artemisia lanata, wall bellflower, Caucasian rockcress, creeping phlox, Delosperma cooperi or Geranium sanguin (Geranium sanguineum). This plant forms a nice garnish between stones or above a wall, in the gaps of paving, or in a flower pot. It adapts very well to pot cultivation.