Genus Carnation(Dianthus), belonging to the family of the same name, has about 300 species found in Europe, Asia, tropical and southern Africa and North America. On the territory considered in the latest edition of "Flora of the middle zone of the European part of Russia" 20 species of carnations are found in nature and are bred in gardens. There are also 6 wild-growing species for the Moscow region. All types of wild carnations are decorative to one degree or another, although not all deserve an introduction to culture.
The general appearance of carnations is quite typical, therefore, having seen a carnation once, it is easy to imagine the characteristic features of plants of this genus. Most of the carnations are perennials; biennial and annual species are less common. Some, in principle, perennial species in our conditions are bred as biennials and even annuals. But with some effort, some of them can be returned to a long-term form of existence.
Carnations are characterized by the simultaneous existence of vegetative and flowering shoots on the same plant. Vegetative shoots, as a rule, are much shorter than peduncles and do not branch. Often, vegetative shoots form more or less dense sod. Carnation leaves are linear or linear-lanceolate, sometimes even subulate, always opposite. Stem nodes are large, thickened, often colored. Often in old plants, the lower part of the stems is lignified, and they resemble half-shrubs. Flowering shoots are branched to varying degrees, most often they begin to branch in the inflorescence, forming a head, scutellum or panicle. In small species, peduncles with single flowers are often found.
The calyx of a flower with five teeth along the edge is fused, tubular, rigid. At the base of the calyx there are 1-4 pairs of bracts, the number, shape and size of which are characteristic for each species. There are 5 petals, the horizontal plate is almost perpendicular to the long marigold. Often there are hairs at the base of the plate that form a beard in the pharynx of the flower. The outer edge of the plate is usually toothed or even fringed to varying degrees, less often there are types of carnations with a solid edge of the petal. The plate is painted in various shades of red or pink, there are types with white, lavender and yellow petals. Repaired carnations produced varieties with purple, orange and green petals. There are 10 stamens in the flower, columns, often protruding from the flower, 2. The fruit is an oblong unilocular capsule, opening at the apex with 4 teeth. Seeds are numerous, usually flat, round or oblong, often black and shiny.
Carnations give hybrids very easily, therefore, pure species are not often found even in the collections of botanical gardens. But, if you are not going to create a strictly botanical collection, this can be completely neglected, since hybrids are often even more decorative than the original species.
Wild carnations of central Russia
CarnationFisher (Dianthus fischeri Spreng). The most common in the European part of Russia is a perennial, found mainly in the forest zone. Grows in meadows, sparse forests, on slopes, clearings, roadside meadows Perennial with a long rhizome, forming rare tussocks. Stems 30-60 cm, slightly branched in the upper part. Leaves 4-10 cm long and 4-8 mm wide with a small sheath at the base. Flowers 1-2 per branch, 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter. Calyx narrowed upward, reddish with teeth up to 1/4 length. Bracts 4. Petals are dark pink, spotted at the base with an unevenly serrated edge. There is a beard of hairs in the pharynx. Blooms from June to September. It propagates well by seeds and blooms in the first year. It is cut and cut. Prefers light loams of medium moisture. For rock gardens and borders.
Clove herb (Dianthusdeltoides L.) is one of the most widespread species in nature and culture. It grows in meadows, in sparse forests, on slopes, clearings, roadside meadows, only on dry light sandy places.A low perennial with thin sprawling stems and rhizomes, forming loose rugs of dense flowering and vegetative shoots. Usually a low-growing species, especially garden forms not exceeding 10 cm, although it is believed that it can be up to 40 cm tall. The leaves are small, lanceolate, like the stems, pubescent with short hairs. On vegetative shoots are wider. Peduncles weakly branched, flowers are solitary, bracts 2. Petals with a sharply serrated edge, at the pharynx there is a ring of purple spots and hairs. In nature, pink-red, has a huge number of varieties of different colors. Blooms from June to September.
Propagated by dividing bushes and seeds, transplants well from nature. Suitable for curbs and rock gardens.
Mixed varieties:
- "Kanta-Libra" - pink, red and white flowers, height 15 cm.
- "Maiden Pinks" - white and pink-red flowers of different shades with a red ring, blooms the next year after sowing. 15-20cm.
- "Fragrant Carpet" - red, with very abundant flowering, height 10-15 cm. The rugs are dense.
- "Arctic Fire" - white, with a red ring, height 15-20cm, the earliest, blooms from late May to mid-July, tolerates partial shade.
Sand carnation (Dianthus arenarius L.). It grows almost throughout Europe, in Russia mainly in the non-black earth and Ciscaucasia. Grows in pine forests on the sand, prefers bright, warm places. Perennial, forms dense dense sod. Leaves are very narrow, short, dense, especially on vegetative shoots, usually bluish. Peduncles 10-30 cm tall, slightly branched at the top. The flowers are solitary, the petals are white or pinkish, with a strongly dissected fringed edge and hairs on the upper side. The lobes of the fringe are filiform. In the pharynx there are purple dots and a greenish spot. The flowers are fragrant. Bracts 4, short, up to 1/4 the height of the calyx, with a short sharp tip. Blooms in June-July, massively for three weeks. Winters with green leaves. The bushes are decorative after flowering. There are varieties.
CarnationBorbash (Dianthus borbasii Vandas). Found in Eastern Europe, in the south of the European part of Russia, in the Ciscaucasia and in the south of the Far East. Perennial 20-60 cm high. The bush is small, dense, with a leaf rosette and a few vegetative shoots. Peduncles are straight, not branching, 1-5 per bush. Flowers 2-2.5 cm in diameter, 2-8 pieces, are collected at the top in a capitate inflorescence. Calyx with reddish teeth. The petals are pink-red or purple. Mass flowering lasts almost a month in June - July. Winters green. Delivers acidic soil. Good in rock gardens.
Carnationfeathery (Dianthus plumarius L.). One of the most common species in culture, it grows wildly almost throughout central Europe. In culture for over 500 years. A perennial that remains green in winter. Stems are numerous, ascending, up to 45 cm tall. Flowers of 1-2 (up to 5) on the shoot in the wild form are simple, in cultivars they are semi-double and double, with a diameter of 2.5-4 cm. Pink, red or white with a dark center. The petals are dissected along the edge by 1/3 of their length. Has a strong pleasant smell. There are numerous varieties and mixtures of varieties. Used on flower beds, slides and cuttings.
Glush booty (Dianthus superbus L). Origin - Northern Europe, including Russia, Siberia, the Far East, Japan. Grows in meadows Perennial with creeping rhizome. Stems are few, during flowering height 40-70 cm, leaves are narrow. Flowers are solitary, sometimes 2-4 flowers on long peduncles. Bracts are many times shorter than the calyx. The calyx is often purple in color. The petals are light pink, purple or almost white, the edge is strongly and repeatedly dissected with fringes. Greenish spot and hairs at the base of the plate. Has a strong pleasant smell. Numerous varieties and mixtures of varieties are bred very often. Good on slides and in the cut.
Otherviews
CarnationAmur (Dianthua amurensis Jacq.) It is found in the Far East, in Primorye and Priamurye, where it grows on dry open slopes, pebbles and forest edges. Perennial with gray-green foliage Peduncle height up to 55 cm, usually 25-30. Stems are numerous, branched, ascending, leaves are linear.Flowers up to 4 cm in diameter, 1-3 at the ends of the branches, pale lilac-pink, with a dark ring in the center. Blooms from mid-June for more than one and a half months. Looks good on slides and even lawns.
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Carnationchalk (Dianthus cretaceus Adam.). Grows in the Caucasus (Transcaucasia and the Greater Caucasus) in alpine and subalpine meadows. Perennial with leaf rosette. Stems are numerous, with single flowers on the tops and lateral branches, 20-25cm high. The flowers are white with a pleasant scent. Propagated by seeds, which ripen in the second half of July and early August.
Bearded carnation, turkish carnation (Dianthusbarbatus L.). One of the oldest flowering plants. Homeland - Southern Europe. Usually bred as a biennial, although the plant is perennial. The leaves are large, the stems are erect, numerous flowers on very short pedicels form a corymbose inflorescence with a large number (from 15 to 40) flowers. Flowers in wild forms of different shades of red, less often white with a faint odor. Numerous varieties have a variety of colors, there are terry ones. Duration of flowering of an individual flower is 3-4 days, in cut it costs 7-8 days. Very demanding on the quality of soil and light. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively - by cuttings, dividing the bush. In order for the species to grow like a perennial, in August young long shoots are covered with earth, leaving tips with 2-4 pairs of leaves on the surface. The height depends on the variety and ranges up to 65 cm.There are dwarf border varieties with a height of 15-20 cm.
Chinese carnation (Dianthus chinensis l.). It grows wildly in China and Korea, was introduced into the culture a long time ago and has numerous varieties. Annual up to 30-45 cm tall with beautiful large flowers of various colors. The flowers are located at the ends of the branches in small bunches. Blooms from July to late autumn. Prefers light loamy soils and medium humidity. There are numerous hybrids in culture. There are spectacular hybrids with a bearded carnation.
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Carnationgarden (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). Wildly found in Southern Europe. Perennial with fragrant flowers. The leaves are glaucous, the stems are straight, branched in the upper part. Form a sprawling bush up to 60 cm tall. In culture, only hybrids.
- Main line of hybrids "Shabo" with flowers of white, pink, red and purple shades. Terry flowers. Usually grown as a biennial.
- "Grenadine" - a line of hybrids of greater height, flowers are solitary, fragrant, 3-4 cm in diameter. Flowering from mid-June for 40 days. Biennials.
Hybrid carnation (Dianthusxhybrida). A huge group of varieties of complex origin. Basically, the results of crossing garden and pinnate carnations with other species. As a result, perennials with a height of not more than 30 cm were obtained with simple and double flowers, mainly white, pink and red in color and varying degrees of doubleness with a strong odor. Varieties are propagated by cuttings and dividing bushes.
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Carnation knappa (DianthusKnappii (Pant.) Ash & Karnitz ex Borbas) is the only wild carnation with yellow flowers. A perennial, almost half-shrub, forms a tall, disheveled bush. Inflorescences of two bunches of flowers at the top of the stem, surrounded by bracts. Flowers 2 cm in diameter. It blooms from the second half of June for 40-45 days. There are varieties.
Carnation carnation (Dianthuscarthusianorum L.) Grows wild in Western and Central Europe. One of the oldest cultivated species. Evergreen perennial 50-70 cm tall, stems not branching. Flowers are dark pink or purple in capitate inflorescences of 6-14 pieces, surrounded by bracts. Blades of petals with sharp teeth, dark pink or purple. Blooms from June 55-65 days. Very unpretentious.
Mound carnation (Dianthuscollinus) Grows wild in Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia. A semi-shrub with pubescent stems and leaves. The flowers are clustered at the ends of the branches in 2 loose bunches. The petals are deeply toothed, pink with dark spots. It blooms for 1.5-2 months from the beginning of July. Drought-resistant, winter-hardy. Height during flowering up to 80 cm.
About growing carnations - in the article Carnations: growing and reproduction.
