Dianthus 'Ideal Select Whitefire' (Ideal Select Series)

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sweet william 'Ideal Select Whitefire'

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Annual Biennial Herbaceous Perennial

Bushy short-lived perennial to 28cm tall, grown as an annual or biennial with bright green leaves, and in summer bears profuse terminal clusters of small white flowers with fringed petals, flecked pink with pink centres and strong purple-red eyes

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen, Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: Skin allergenwear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Dianthus can be annuals, evergreen perennials or subshrubs with narrow, often greyish leaves and showy flowers that are frequently fragrant
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained neutral to alkaline soils in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in early spring or propagate by softwood cuttings from non-flowering shoots in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hanging Basket
  • Patio and container plants
  • Bedding
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Deadhead after flowers fade to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust, virus diseases and Fusarium wilt