Dianthus Coconut Sundae (‘Wp05 Yves’) (PBR) (Scent First Series) | 9cm Pot

An evergreen perennial scented carnation with claret centred white flowers. Position: full sun Soil: rich but well-drained, alkaline to neutral Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to August Hardiness: fully hardy Short, stout stems carry double white flowers, each with a claret coloured eye, in summer. A repeat-flowering pink that is noted for its strong scent and compact habit, it is ideal for pots and alpine beds. Garden care: Dianthus should be trimmed back lightly after flowering to promote new basal growth. Prune more closely in spring, as new shoots emerge to maintain a tidy shape. To maintain healthy growth, it is important to make sure the plants are protected from excessive winter wet. Try taking cuttings in July and early August. Fill a small seed tray with coarse horticultural sand and water it well. Take the cuttings in the cool of the day, choosing non-flowering side shoots about two inches (5cm) in length. If there are flower buds, pick them off. Trim the cuttings below a node (where the leaf joint is) and remove or reduce any large leaves to lessen transpiration. Plunge them into the sand so that two-thirds of the cutting is submerged and place the tray in a cool, shady position for several weeks. Then pot up individually into compost, such as John Innes no 1. You can also leave your cuttings in situ until next spring, although they will need protection from frost.