Plants: Carnations: Nostalgic beauties in the garden

Ruched, fringed, colorfully edged: carnations captivate with fantastic flowers and a fine fragrance. For a long time they were considered old-fashioned - now new carnation varieties are in great demand.

Even the ancient Greeks raved about their beauty and dedicated them to their highest god: "Dios anthos", the flower of Zeus, they called the carnation. Her botanical name still reminds her today: Dianthus.

Viva la Diva! Wow: Violet flowers with red flames conjure up glamor in gardens, tubs and window boxes. The garden carnation Chomley Farran grows to around 30 centimeters high and develops spectacular large, fragrant flowers.

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Large carnation family

Carnations amazed with an immense variety. There are over 300 species, including one, two or perennial plants, some of which have a seductive scent. We used to know them mainly from the farm garden: the long-stemmed bear-carnations were (and are) very popular here. At first glance, one does not necessarily suspect their relationship to the lower, more delicate species, such as the feather. the garden or the carnation.

Sun worshipers: All carnations love warmth and full sun; grow wild

them in the temperate areas of the northern hemisphere. There are a particularly large number of species around the Mediterranean - such as these carnations in Porto Puddu in Sardinia.

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The right location for cloves

What connects everyone: Carnations like it warm and sunny. They tolerate drought well, but (congestion) wetness not at all - mix clayey soils with sand and gravel. Carnations feel particularly comfortable in the rock garden and on dry stone walls. Adapted to a dry climate, their blue-gray or dark green leaves are long and narrow so that they do not evaporate too much water. Outside the flowering period, the leaf cushions add distinctive accents that structure the bed and garden.

As if painted: as if they came from a baroque still life: many carnations fascinate with beautifully drawn, double flowers. Such as the two-tone spring carnation Dianthus plumarius 'James Portman', which blooms from June to August.

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Carnation flower

Carnations bloom in summer - so abundantly that they form carpet of flowers. For the garden z. B. Pentecost or fragrant feather carnations, which fascinate with double, splendidly drawn flowers in white, red and pink (it is not for nothing that feather carnations are called "pink" in England). After flowering, you can cut the plants back by a third: this way they stay nice and compact in growth and form fresh shoots.

Bathtub delights: Shabby-chic vessels, such as an old Reine, perfectly showcase cloves. The whole thing becomes contemporary if you group different heights so that they are lined up in a line.

Photo: Picture Press / Dirk Pudwell

Cloves in a pot

Also suitable for the plant pot are clove varieties that bloom only one season, such as the Chinese carnation or the garden carnation (the latter is actually perennial, but often does not come through winter). When choosing, it is worth paying attention to an intense floral scent. If you place the pots accordingly, you will always experience the aromas (e.g. of Pentecost or feather cloves) close to the taster.

Fresh into the earth: You can get cloves (here an unfilled spring clove) for your garden and for the planter from the perennial garden center or from the garden center; only some types can be sown. They are propagated by division (in spring or summer) or by cuttings: To do this, cut off individual shoot tips in summer and place them in the propagation substrate

Photo: Science Photo Library / Alamy

Carnations as a cut flower

Noble cloves are currently also popular as cut flowers. In the vase they are in season all year round and last quite a long time (please change the water every 1 to 2 days). It is best to bundle carnations in different shades of pink into an opulent tuft of flowers, that is as stylish as it is nostalgic - and beautiful!