Cayuga, I did leave some seeds on it but harvested some to hopefully start and put in other areas of the garden. I picked up a Dianthus yesterday to compare the two. If the freeze this morning didn't kill it off, I'll put them next to each other for a photo comparison when I get home this evening.
These Dianthus must be very cold hardy. The ones I have do quite well in my zone 5. This winter they are actually still green! No blooms, but they sure look good out there in my very dormant garden.
Wow Kay. And I thought most of the US was in a deep freeze at this point! Good luck Cheryl with the sweet William. I'd like to know if you succeed in growing them from seed.
This winter has been a strange one. Mild awhile, then very cold, then back to mild, then back to cold (which is what it is now) Not very much snow either, I think we stand at 20" for the winter, much below normal. My Dianthus is in a south facing bed along the brick of the house. It can get nice and warm over there, even when it's cold. A nice solar micro-climate!
I finally got a photo of a recently bought Dianthus to compare to the one that's growing. There are similarity and differences... the biggest difference I can tell is that the flowers on the new one are kinda fringed and the old one is smooth. And the new one's blooms are larger than the other one.
The new one you have in the pot I used to buy and grow as an annual in the north. Not sure what the name of those dianthus are called either. Occasionally if we had a mild winter they would make it to a second year. There are just so many different kinds of dianthus, sweet williams, annual dianthus, perennial dianthus, carnations. They are all beautiful though. The new one you bought will probably be a perennial in your zone.
Thanks Ginny. I've only grow some here and there and seems they were just annuals. But I'd like to get more and really keep an eye on them. Sure was nice having something in bloom throughout the winter.
Cheryl, they are perennials up here in my garden so they should be in yours too. Those and Scabiosa columbaria (Pincushion Flower) I am concentrating on loading up on this spring so there will be color all winter.
Toni.. I tried the Pincushion a couple of years ago. I must have had it in the wrong spot... didn't live too long.
They don't like a lot of attention and do like afternoon shade in our heat up here. 8B and 9 are pushing their limits so maybe just morning sun would be good for them.
