Practical
Plants

Dianthus caryophyllus

Carnation

a perennial member of the Dianthus genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Lepidoptera

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flower petals have a strong smell of cloves and are candied, used as a garnish in salads, for flavouring fruit, fruit salads etc. They can also be used as a substitute for rose petals in making a syrup[5][8]. The petals should be removed from the calyx and their bitter white base should be removed[5].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Carnation flowers are an aromatic, stimulant herb that has been used in tonic cordials in the past to treat fevers, though this use is now obsolete[8]. It is traditionally prescribed in European herbal medicine to treat coronary and nervous disorders[11]. The flowers are considered to be alexiteric, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic and nervine[9]. The plant has been used as a vermifuge in China[9].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers[13][4]. It is used in perfumery. 500kg of flowers produce 100g of oil[14]. The flowers are harvested when they are fully open in the morning, preferably after 3 hours exposure to sunlight[8]. The flower heads are dried and used in pot-pourri, scented sachets and cosmetic products[8][12]. The plant is quite rich in saponins. The leaves can be simmered in water and this water can then be used as a soap for cleaning the skin, clothes etc[7].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Soap

Environment

Range
Europe - W. and S. France. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[3].
Habitat
A plant of limestone soils, it is often found on old walls in Britain[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in slight heat in a greenhouse[1]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in July[1]. Cuttings of non-flowering basal shoots, June/July in a frame[6]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a sunny position in most good soils[2][6] tolerating a pH range from 6 to 8 but disliking acid soils[6]. A very tolerant plant, succeeding in the salt laden air and strong winds of the coast as well as in the sulphur polluted air of cities[6]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[6]. A very ornamental plant[1], the carnation is widely cultivated in the flower garden and is grown commercially in France for its essential oil[13]. There are many named varieties[6]. The flowers of the species have a rich clove-like perfume, though almost no scent is present in the orange and yellow-flowering cultivars[10]. The flowers are very attractive to butterflies and moths[3]. Plants are prone to mildew or leaf spot in humid climates[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  7. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  11. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

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  12. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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