Dianthus plumarius Lady in Red

Dianthus plumarius Lady in Red is a variety of carnation with brilliant vermillion red flowers, symbolising affection and deep love in the language of flowers. It possesses all the charm and authenticity of ancient varieties. With an exceptional fragrance, its large red pompom flowers sit perched on tall, slightly arched stems above a grey-blue evergreen cushion. The flowers bloom throughout the entire growing season, with or without care, as the plant is robust, floriferous, and undemanding. Modern carnations only fear acidic and humid soils. Offer them the sun and well-drained limestone soil.

Dianthus Lady in Red belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a recent cultivar selected in England, resulting from cross-breeding between D. plumarius, D. caryophyllus, and D. gratianopolitanus, among others. D. plumarius is a European perennial that is the main ancestor of different groups of both old-fashioned and modern carnations. D. gratianopolitanus is native to Europe and Asia and has passed down its compact habit and its wonderful clove-like fragrance. Lady in Red's growth rate is quite rapid. The plant reaches maturity after 3 to 5 years of cultivation. Its adult size will reach 45cm (18in) in height when in bloom with a spread of 35cm (14in), or even more. This carnation forms a dense and bushy clump. From June to August, sometimes until September, it produces 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) wide red double flowers with toothed petals, carried by flexible stems adorned with several buds. Its linear, glabrous, pointed, persistent, and leathery leaves are a superb grey-blue colour.

Dianthus 'Lady in Red' is a border plant, suitable for embankments and dry rockeries. It is both luxurious and natural. Its highly fragrant red flowers bring undeniable charm to even the simplest decor, in the garden as well as in bouquets. It can be paired with the blue bells of wood hyacinths, bellflowers, Anemone coronaria, and Madonna lilies, or with other flowering cushions such as candytufts, campions, wall bellflowers, Caucasian rock cress, moss phlox, trailing fleabane, and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). To evoke gardens of the past, you can plant a small border of these lovely carnations at the base of clusters of white, pink, or red peonies and old-fashioned or English roses. This plant looks lovely between the stones of a wall or pavement, or in a large planter. It adapts very well to container gardening in light soil.