Scarlet Diamond, Dianthus

Scarlet Diamond Dianthus Seed

Brilliant scarlet blooms create an unmistakable focal color
Long flowering extends the vibrant seasonal display
Uniform plants open early across multiple stems
Use compact plants in containers or border fronts

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Dianthus × hybrida

Days to maturity

95 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

25 Seeds

About Scarlet Diamond, Dianthus Seed, Dianthus Seed

Scarlet Diamond offers superb garden performance in spring and autumn with its high uniformity in plant habit. Produces beautiful scarlet red petals that bloom for an extended time. The Diamond is an early series, blooming simultaneously on main and lateral stems with flower size of 1.5 inches in diameter.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Top of Soil

Days to Germination

7–14 days

Germination Type

D - Surface Sow

In-row plant spacing

10-12"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

12 inches

Growth Habits

Compact, Mounding

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

30,000

Color

Red

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Dianthus performs best in full sun and sharply drained soil with open air movement. Remove weeds and improve compacted ground without making it overly rich. Prepare a smooth seed surface because light aids germination and the seed should receive little or no covering.

Planting

Dianthus may be direct-sown in early spring, and many types also perform well from fall or winter sowing. Keep the surface evenly moist until seedlings establish, taking care not to bury light-requiring seed. Indoor starts need bright light and cool conditions. Thin direct-sown seedlings after true leaves appear, or transplant carefully before roots become crowded.

Watering

Water dianthus regularly until established, then irrigate deeply only when the soil becomes dry. Avoid frequent shallow watering and saturated conditions, which encourage weak growth or root disease.

Fertilizer

For dianthus, reserve supplemental fertilizer for weak growth, using a light balanced or bloom formula. Stop if plants become overly leafy, a common sign of excess nitrogen.

Harvesting

Cut dianthus flowers when blooms are well colored and at the opening stage best suited to display. Harvest during the cool morning with clean shears, leaving healthy foliage for continued flowering.

Tips

Pinch young dianthus plants to encourage branching when appropriate, then deadhead regularly to extend flowering. Succession plantings can maintain color after the earliest plants decline.

Pests & Diseases

Fusarium wilt, rust, Alternaria leaf spot, Botrytis, and bacterial spot are notable dianthus diseases. One-sided yellowing or wilt may signal Fusarium and has no cure. Begin with clean seed, rotate flower beds, disinfect cutting tools, and keep propagated plants from touching diseased stock.

Dianthus can attract aphids, thrips, mites, Japanese beetles, slugs, and leaf-chewing caterpillars. Knock off small colonies with water, handpick larger feeders, and reserve labeled treatments for significant damage.