Chinese carnation

Family Caryophyllaceae. Native range - the south of Primorsky Krai, northern China, Japan.

The Chinese carnation, like some 300 other species of carnations, is a perennial plant. Its popularity spans several centuries, and many forms have been bred. In recent years hundreds more cultivated variations have appeared as a result of targeted breeding and hybridization. In temperate countries this carnation is grown as a seasonal annual. Stems reach up to 50 cm in height, forming spreading or compact bushes, often in a tufted form. Leaves are opposite, lanceolate or narrow, linear, flat or slightly grooved, pointed; lower stem leaves wither early. Flowers are usually solitary, pink or lilac, nearly scentless, 2.5–3 cm in diameter, or borne in a terminal few-flowered, corymbose inflorescence. Fruit - a capsule. Seeds black, 800–1000 per gram, remain viable for 3–4 years. In cultivation since 1702.

Current efforts are focused on developing cultivars characterized by compact growth. Sometimes plants do not exceed 15 cm. Unfortunately, such dwarf forms are mainly advantageous for commercial growers, since more plants can be grown per unit area. For true flower enthusiasts this is rather sad, because these artificially bred forms retain little of the natural appearance of the carnation. Flowers of the 'Colour Magician' variety are colored in pink and red tones alternating with white zones. Plant height reaches 30 cm. The 'Ideal Rose' variety is notable for its special compactness (plants do not exceed 20 cm in height), violet-pink flower color and a prolonged flowering period. 'Parfait Strawberry' belongs to the Aristo series. Plant height, with grayish-green foliage, is 15–25 cm. The flowers have a white ring with red markings around a red center. The carnation 'Telstar Purple Picotee' is a dwarf, not exceeding 25 cm. Usually this name is given to cultivars whose petals are colored in contrasting shades arranged in concentric circles around the flower center. However, in 'Telstar Purple Picotee' the pink-red flower center is surrounded by petals whose color gradually shifts from pink to white. Carnations of this series have relatively large inflorescences. Buds begin to open early, but this process is short-lived, although there are now forms distinguished by a long flowering period.

Chinese carnation is undemanding. It grows equally well in full sun and in light partial shade, preferring moist, slightly calcareous soil. Plants are not afraid of light frosts, so they can be planted in their permanent place as early as April. The flowering period is short, but with good care plants may bloom a second time. Fortunately, new cultivars with prolonged flowering have appeared recently. The carnation can be sown from seed at home rather than purchased as ready-grown seedlings. From emergence to bud set takes two to three months. To achieve early flowering, seeds are sown indoors in a heated room in early spring starting in April. Transplanting of seedlings is supplemented by direct sowing into open ground.

The Chinese carnation has a widely cultivated garden variety var. heddewigii Regef, often considered a separate species.

A perennial plant often used as an annual. Bushes compact or spreading, 20–40 cm tall. Stems jointed. Root system taproot, branched. Leaves opposite, green or glaucous, elongate-lanceolate. Flowers single or double, 4–6 cm in diameter, white, pink, red and variegated, without scent. Blooms from July until the first frosts. Seeds set well, remaining viable for 3–4 years. Up to 1000 seeds per gram. The photograph shows the 'Minstrel' variety.

There are many cultivars, among which the most widespread are:

'Brilliant' ('Brilliant') - Plants spreading, 25–30 cm tall. Shoots green, nodes dark red. Flowers double, up to 5 cm in diameter, dark red, petals toothed.

'Vesuvius' ('Vesuvius') - Plants up to 30 cm tall. Shoots green. Flowers double, up to 6 cm in diameter, fiery orange-red, petals fringed.

'Lucifer' ('Lucifer') - Plants 25–30 cm tall. Shoots green, nodes dark red. Flowers double, up to 6 cm in diameter, orange-red. Petals deeply cut, curved.

'Schwarzer Prinz' ('Schwarzer Prinz') - Plants 20–25 cm tall. Shoots green, nodes dark red. Flowers double, up to 5 cm in diameter, black-maroon, at the beginning of flowering almost black, petals with a white toothed edge.

'Schneeball' ('Schneeball') - Plants spreading, up to 30 cm tall. Shoots green. Flowers double, up to 6 cm in diameter, white with a faint greenish tint.

Seeds are collected when the fruits (capsules) turn brown. Store them at +5–10°C. Sow in March in cold frames; after the end of frosts transplant into the ground. In favorable conditions plants may overwinter and bloom the following year.