Outdoor Gardening

Garden performance is what really makes Whetman Pinks stand above all others in dianthus. These plants are the most hardy, most floriferous and most fragrant of any in their class!

Whetman Pinks can be grown as specimen plants in the garden, en masse in the landscape, or in container gardens around your patio. Wherever you plant them, make sure it is a convenient spot where you can enjoy the spicy fragrance all season long.

Here are a few simple guidelines to help your new plants grow to their fullest potential.

Sun Exposure
Whetman Pinks perform best in full sun to light, filtered shade, preferably an afternoon shade.  A minimum of four to six hours of direct sunlight per day is required for proper blooms.  Care must be taken to prevent exposure to drought or other heat related stress conditions associated with full sun exposure.

Ground Preparation
Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good drainage. If the water is still standing 12 hours later, improve the drainage in your bed, perhaps by establishing a raised bed.

Planting
Turn the soil well and dig a hole twice as wide as it is deep. Mix some organic compost or peat moss with the soil. Remove your Whetman Pinks from its container and carefully but firmly loosen the root ball. Set the plant into the hole you’ve prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is above the soil level. Pull your soil around the plant and water thoroughly.

Spacing
Whetman Pinks should be planted approximately 2-feet apart. This will give room for the plants to mature and produce strong stems, good for cutflower bouquets.

Spring & Summer Planting Care
Water your Whetman Pinks well when you first plant them, and keep the soil moist until winter. Your new Whetman Pinks should not need regular watering after the first year unless there are periods of excessive drought. Fertilize annually with a well balanced fertilizer, such as Osmocote.