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Conservatory GreenhouseHerbaceous Perennial

Dianthus 'Coquette' (pf)

perpetual-flowering carnation 'Coquette'

A half-hardy evergreen perennial, perpetual flowering carnation, that can flower all year round if grown under glass. The foliage is grey-green and flowers are double with pink and purple shades in the centre, fading to white towards the edges

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

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)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: Skin allergen, wear 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
Horticultural Group: Perpetual flowering carnations are half-hardy evergreen perennials grown under glass for cut flowers and for exhibition. Given temperatures above 10°C, they can flower all year round, the blooms to 10cm across, sometimes scented

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free compost in good light with good ventilation. Can be placed outside in summer. Feed fortnightly with a high potassium liquid feed when buds start appearing. Will require staking. See staking: perennials

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in late winter or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse
Cut flowers

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust, a virus and fusarium wilt

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