Dianthus car. 'Oscar Light Pink'

Planting Dianthus carthusianorum ‘Oscar Light Pink’

• Plant overview: Dianthus carthusianorum ‘Oscar Light Pink’ is a compact, hardy perennial producing masses of soft light-pink flowers held above neat, grassy foliage. It is well suited to borders, rock gardens, gravel gardens, and containers, where it adds gentle colour and a long flowering season.

• When to plant:

  • Plant in spring (March to May) or early autumn (September) while the soil is still warm.

  • Spring planting allows plants to establish quickly and flower in their first season.

• Site selection:

  • Choose a sunny position for best flowering and compact growth.

  • Dianthus thrives in full sun and will tolerate light shade, though flowering may be reduced.

• Soil preparation:

  • Prefers free-draining, moderately fertile soil.

  • Improve heavy soils with grit or sharp sand to ensure good drainage.

  • Avoid overly rich or water-retentive soil, which can cause weak growth.

• Planting depth and spacing:

  • Plant at the same depth as in the pot, keeping the crown at soil level.

  • Space plants approximately 20–30cm apart to allow airflow and clump development.

• Container planting:

  • Well suited to pots and troughs.

  • Use a gritty, free-draining compost and ensure containers have good drainage holes.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water well after planting to help roots establish.

  • Once established, Dianthus is relatively drought tolerant and prefers slightly drier conditions.

  • Avoid overwatering, especially in cooler weather.

• Feeding:

  • Feed lightly in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser.

  • Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which encourage leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

• Deadheading:

  • Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.

  • Cutting back flower stems helps maintain a tidy, compact shape.

• Pruning:

  • After the main flowering period, trim plants lightly to promote fresh growth and possible repeat flowering.

  • Avoid cutting into old, woody growth.

• Mulching:

  • Apply a light gravel mulch around plants to improve drainage and keep foliage dry.

  • Avoid heavy organic mulches that hold excess moisture.

• Weed control:

  • Keep the area around plants weed-free to reduce competition for light and nutrients.

  • Take care when weeding, as Dianthus has shallow roots.

• Pests and diseases:

  • Generally trouble-free, though aphids may appear on new growth.

  • Good air circulation and dry soil conditions help prevent fungal diseases.

Flowering, Longevity, and Seasonal Care

• Flowering period:

  • Dianthus ‘Oscar Light Pink’ typically flowers from late spring through summer, with the potential for repeat flowering if deadheaded regularly.

  • The soft pink blooms are lightly scented and attractive to pollinators.

• After flowering:

  • Continue deadheading throughout the season to prolong flowering.

  • Light trimming after flowering keeps plants compact and encourages fresh foliage.

• Winter hardiness:

  • This Dianthus is fully hardy and suitable for year-round outdoor growing.

  • In very wet soils, winter losses can occur, making good drainage essential.

• Winter care:

  • Avoid heavy mulching in winter, as damp conditions around the crown can cause rot.

  • Containers should be raised slightly on feet to improve drainage.

• Longevity:

  • Dianthus plants are generally short-lived perennials, remaining at their best for 2–3 years.

  • Regular trimming helps maintain vigour.

• Division and replacement:

  • Plants can be divided in spring if clumps become congested, though replacement every few years often gives best results.

  • Alternatively, take softwood cuttings in early summer to produce new plants.

• Garden use:

  • Ideal for edging paths, filling gaps in sunny borders, or combining with grasses and Mediterranean-style plants.

  • Its compact habit and delicate colouring make it easy to blend into many planting schemes.

Dianthus carthusianorum ‘Oscar Light Pink’ is a low-maintenance, sun-loving perennial that rewards good drainage and regular deadheading with long-lasting, soft pink flowers and neat, evergreen-style foliage

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.