Dianthus arenarius f. nanus ‘Little Maiden’

LITTLE MAIDEN PICOTEE

Dianthus arenarius f. nanus ‘Little Maiden’
LITTLE MAIDEN PICOTEE

Pure white fringed flowers above tight buns of blue-grey foliage decorate delightful Dianthus arenarius f. nanus ‘Little Maiden’.

Dwarf “Little Maiden Picotee” or “Sand Pink”

This charming dwarf Picotee is commonly known as the “Little Maiden Picotee”, or the “Sand Pink” – Obviously it grows well in sand.

Blooms like a flurry of snow crystals

So though each flower is small, Little Maiden blooms prolifically, and covers herself with fringed flowers – like a flurry of snow crystals.
The blooms are sparkling white and heavily fringed.

Delicious rich scent

Little Maiden also has a delicious rich scent that wafts on the air, and brings back memories of a beloved Grandmother’s garden.
So although this is a dwarf, compact little plant – it packs a powerful punch of perfume and charm, way beyond its size.

Fill the room with fragrance from a vase

And the “snow crystals”‘ make superb little cut flowers for a small vase.
While the perfume fills the room.

Tough little water-wise cookie

Dianthus arenarius f. nanus ‘Little Maiden’ is a tough little cookie.
Because she is frost hardy, water-wise, basks in heat, and drought resistant once established.

Basks in heat & drought resistant

Plus she revels in the Full Sun, relishes lime, and thrives in well-drained soil.

Thrives in sandy rocky & windy sites

So sandy soil, gravel and harder, rocky, and windy sites are just her cup of tea.

Delightful in a pot or by the sea

And so ‘Little Maiden’ is perfectly suited for seaside planting, and she is utterly delightful in a pot.

Decorative & neat clump of blue-grey foliage

Dianthus arenarius f. nanus ‘Little Maiden’ quickly forms a neat, hardy, evergreen perennial clump of pretty foliage.
Leaves are blue-grey in colour, and needle like (not sharp) in appearance.

Brilliant as an edge or underplanting & in a pot

So mass planted they make a brilliant edging plant, a wonderful underplanting for roses or taller plants in the sun, or an attractive feature year round in a pot.
Then they glisten over summer with the snow crystal flowers.

Evergreen clump of grey-blue & white

Dianthus arenarius f. nanus ‘Little Maiden’ is 15cm High in a flurry of snow crystal flowers x 30cm Wide approx. evergreen clump of blue-grey foliage growing in a neat tuffet of needle-like foliage.

Magnet for bees & pollinators

The sweetly fragrant flowers are rich in nectar, and irresistible to native bees, honey-bees, butterflies and all manner of pollinators we treasure.

Resistant to rabbits & deer

While ‘Little Maiden’ is considered resistant to rabbits and deer because the chewing pests do not relish the strong fragrance and tough, thin foliage. Far preferring something lush and juicy like the veggies.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow at any time of year indoors, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (16-20°C).
OR
Sow directly in the garden in early spring.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seed in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently pat the seed to the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
But barely cover with a dusting of sieved mix or fine sandy grit, and do not bury.
Because seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath, and allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Drain and then place in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight as this will dry the seeds out too much)

Temperatures of 16-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a temperature controlled heat mat if you have one, to maintain consistent warmth, as these seeds respond to gentle heat.

Continue to keep consistently moist by misting from a spray water-bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag will also help to maintain necessary consistent moisture.”Remove the covering as soon as sprouts appear.

Seedlings begin to emerge in approx. 14-21 days.

Prick out the baby seedlings as soon as they emerge and develop their first set of true leaves.
Pot up to grow on to garden size.

Seed Count: 40 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/