Dianthus Sel I Love U 2L

Dianthus ‘I Love U’ 2L Pot

Plant Fact File:

Plant Type: Perennial
Botanical Name: Dianthus ‘I Love U’
Common Name: Carnation, Pink
Container Size: 2 Litre Pot
Mature Height: 20-30 cm (8-12 inches)
Mature Spread: 25-35 cm (10-14 inches)
Flower Color: Pink with a red center
Flower Form: Single, frilled petals
Scent: Strong, spicy-sweet fragrance
Flowering Period: Late spring to early fall
Foliage: Blue-green, grass-like leaves
Hardiness: Fully Hardy (USDA zones 3-9)
Aspect: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, alkaline to neutral soil
Uses: Borders, rock gardens, containers, cut flowers

Description:

Dianthus ‘I Love U’ is a delightful perennial known for its charming, frilled pink flowers with striking red centers. These single blooms appear on sturdy stems above a neat mound of blue-green, grass-like foliage, providing a long-lasting and vibrant display from late spring to early fall. The flowers emit a strong, spicy-sweet fragrance that is particularly appealing to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

‘I Love U’ is ideal for adding color and scent to borders, rock gardens, and containers. Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller garden spaces and patio pots. This plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, preferring an alkaline to neutral pH. Fully hardy and low maintenance, Dianthus ‘I Love U’ is a versatile and reliable choice for a wide range of garden settings.

Key Features:

Vibrant Blooms: ‘I Love U’ produces striking pink flowers with red centers, featuring frilled petals that bloom from late spring to early fall.
Attracts Pollinators: The fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity.
Compact Size: With a mature height of 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) and a spread of 25-35 cm (10-14 inches), this Dianthus is perfect for borders, rock gardens, and containers.
Strong Fragrance: The spicy-sweet scent of the flowers adds an aromatic quality to the garden.
Hardy Perennial: Fully hardy in USDA zones 3-9, ‘I Love U’ can withstand a range of temperatures and conditions.
Low Maintenance: This variety requires minimal care, thriving in well-draining, alkaline to neutral soil and full sun.

Planting Tips:

Choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil, preferably with an alkaline to neutral pH.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and incorporate some grit or sand into the soil to improve drainage.
Plant ‘I Love U’ at the same depth as it was in its container and backfill with soil.
Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist until the plant is established.
Avoid over-watering, as Dianthus prefers slightly dry conditions once established.
Apply a light mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid crowding the base of the plant.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and maintain plant appearance.
Divide clumps every few years in early spring or late fall to promote vigorous growth and prevent overcrowding.