Dianthus spiculifolius

FEATHERED PICOTEE

Dianthus spiculifolius
FEATHERED PICOTEE

Dianthus spiculifolius looks so dainty and elegant, but is secretly as tough as old boots.

Superbly fragrant

Blooms are sweetly, strongly, divinely fragrant.
Just a few flowers tucked into a posy vase will scent the house.
And never miss a sniff in the garden to lift the spirits heavenwards.

Finely fringed & feathered flowers

Flower edges are ever so finely fringed and feathered, slashed almost to the bloom centres.
As if they have been shredded by fairy scissors.
So the flowers flutter and dance in even the slightest breeze, so animating the garden.

Glistening white with burgundy eyes

Dianthus spiculifolius bears white singles of glistening, frosty purity.
With each flower also displaying a contrasting burgundy central ring.
Though when grown from seed some individual plants may vary charmingly – by having greater or less prominent burgundy eyes, and some plants may even bear pure white, unmarked blooms – they are all lovely.

Fill the room with fragrance from a vase

Blooms make superb cut flowers for a small vase, and fill the room with perfume/

Tough & water-wise

Dianthus spiculifolius is a tough and tenacious grower, despite the delicate good looks.
Being frost hardy, water-wise, loves to bask in heat, and robustly drought resistant once established.

Basks in heat & drought resistant

Plus revels in a Full Sun position, 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 heaven for tough little Dianthus spiculifolius.

Delightful in a pot or by the sea

This “Feathered Picotee” is ideal for seaside planting, and utterly delightful in a pot.

Decorative & neat clump of blue-grey foliage

Diathus spiculifolius quickly forms a neat, hardy, evergreen perennial clump of pretty foliage.
Leaves are blue-grey in colour, and needle like (not sharp) in appearance, making a tight, low cushion.

Brilliant as an edge or underplanting & in a pot

So multiple plants make a brilliant edging; a wonderful mass underplanting for roses or taller plants basking in the sun; or an attractive feature pot year round.
Foliage colour and texture is lovely.

Evergreen clump of grey-blue adorned with white feathers

Dianthus spiculifolius is 20cm High in a flurry of snow feather flowers x 45cm Wide approx. evergreen clump of blue-grey foliage, growing in a neat cushion shape.

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 cant do without.

Resistant to rabbits & deer

While Dianthus spiculifolius is considered resistant to rabbits and deer because they do not favour the strong fragrance and tough, thin foliage. Far preferring something lush and lettuce juicy.

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

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