Dianthus plumarius Scent First Raspberry Sundae

The Dianthus Raspberry Sundae is a modern Carnation variety belonging to the Scent First series, made up of plants with a compact habit and vibrant, fragrant flowering, particularly suited for pot cultivation. This 'Raspberry Sundae' variety, with its contrasting colours, offers semi-double flowers, pale pink with a raspberry centre. Its flowering starts in June, and is abundant and prolonged. It is also an excellent perennial for sunny borders, where it forms persistent cushions of beautiful grey-blue even in winter.

The Carnation or Dianthus 'Scent First Raspberry Sundae' belongs to the caryophyllaceae family. It is a cultivar selected in England, resulting from cross-breeding between D. plumarius and D. gratianopolitanus, among others. Dianthus plumarius is a European perennial that is the main ancestor of different Carnation groups, both old-fashioned and modern. Dianthus gratianopolitanus is native to Europe and Asia, and has passed on to its descendants, among other things, its compact habit and wonderful clove fragrance. The growth of this Carnation is quite fast. Its mature size will not exceed 25cm (10in) in height with a spread of 25cm (10in) or more. This Carnation forms a dense clump, from which emerge, from June to August, wide 4-5cm (2in) semi-double flowers with fringed petals, borne at the end of short, often branched stems. Its linear, glabrous, pointed, evergreen and leathery leaves are a superb grey-blue.

The Dianthus 'Raspberry Sundae' is a very pretty plant for terraces or balconies, hardy to at least -15°C, not demanding in terms of water, but craving sun. It will also thrive in well-drained borders, slopes, and rockeries. Its beautiful scented flowers bring undeniable charm to even the simplest decor. For example, it can be placed in front of other carnations, white, red or pink ('Devon Dove', 'Devon Magic', 'Devon Cream', 'Letitia Wyatt'), or to accompany the blue bells of campanulas, the lavender mounds of catmints, or flowering cushions such as rock roses, campions, wall bellflowers, Caucasus wallflowers, creeping phlox, Erigeron karvinskianus, and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). To evoke gardens of the past, a small border of these delightful carnations can be planted at the foot of peony clumps and old-fashioned roses. This plant forms a lovely garnish between the stones of a wall or paving, in a trough or in a container.