How to Plant, Grow, and Care For ‘Firewitch’ Dianthus

Plants in the Dianthus genus include those commonly called carnations, Sweet Williams, and pink carnations. They have a long history of human cultivation. Going back more than 2,000 years, we see them in Ancient Greece and Rome. Their name, dianthus, comes from the Greek words ‘Dios’ and ‘anthos,’ which translates to ‘flower of God.’

Such an illustrious moniker would only be awarded to a special plant. The delightfully long-lasting, sturdy, and fragrant flowers were often made into flower crowns, used as symbols of the suffering of Jesus and Mary. They were also worn by athletes in ceremonies of award and recognition. 

‘Firewitch’ Dianthus Overview

Plant Type Evergreen perennial Family Caryophyllaceae Genus Dianthus Species Gratianopolitanus	Native Area Cheddar Gorge, England Exposure Full sun Height 6”-8” Watering Requirements Average	Pests & Diseases Aphids, spider mites, thrips, rust, fusarium wilt, crown rot Maintenance Low Soil Type Loamy, sandy, well-drained Hardiness Zone 3-9

What Is ‘Firewitch’ Dianthus?

‘Firewitch’ is a perfectly petite dianthus cultivar that, among other uses, makes a stunning ground cover. It holds the title of 2006 Plant of the Year from the Perennial Plant Association, and it’s not difficult to see why. The color combination in this plant’s flowers and foliage is striking and unique. It certainly adds to their appeal and stokes their popularity. Let’s take a look!

Characteristics

‘Firewitch‘ is a foreboding name, and the plant is certainly bewitching. This lovely cultivar is compact and has the bluest foliage of any dianthus. The evergreen foliage is a pale blue-green with fine, lanceolate leaves and slender, jointed stems. 

The mound of foliage grows to only four to six inches tall, but spreads to nearly two feet wide. The brilliant magenta flowers, which are nearly neon, stand another few inches above the foliage for a long period in spring and summer. They also often rebloom in the fall for an added treat. 

‘Firewitch’ is evergreen and makes a wonderful border for garden beds, and a perfect addition to the cottage garden. The bright pink flowers also have a spicy and sweet fragrance with a hint of warm cloves.

Native Area

Dianthus are generally native primarily to Europe and Asia, with a few species showing up in Africa. This particular cultivar comes from Cheddar Gorge, England. The species D. gratianopolitanus is native to this region. You’ll find them growing in open, sunny areas with good air circulation and well-drained soil. 

Planting

As a perennial dianthus, ‘Firewitch’ is best planted in the fall, but early spring is fine, too. The cooler temperatures of these times help the plant to establish stronger, deeper roots, which leads to a nice, compact shape. They handle frost well, so there is no need to worry about frost dates in terms of foliage. However, you do want the roots to develop before the ground freezes. 

Transplanting

When you’re ready to plant your ‘Firewitch,’ choose a sunny location with excellent drainage. If you need to amend the soil, do so before you put them in the ground. Space plants about one to two feet apart. As this variety is a spreader, err on the side of two feet between. 

Water your transplants well and then regularly until they establish roots. Mulch is a good idea, as they appreciate average moisture. Avoid overwatering after the first few weeks, as it can result in root rot. 

Growing From Seed

You can start your ‘Firewitch’ dianthus seeds indoors or directly sow them in the garden. Because you need to surface sow them, we recommend starting them indoors for a better rate.

To sow indoors, start about eight weeks ahead of the date you want to transplant. The seeds need light to germinate, so rather than covering them with soil, simply press them into the surface.

I like to start with pre-moistened soil any time I’m dealing with seeds that need surface sowing. This keeps them from washing away. Use a spray bottle to mist the top of the soil until they germinate and anchor a bit. While they are germinating, place your seed trays in a brightly lit space without direct sunlight. 

After your seeds sprout, move them to a spot with plenty of direct sun, as they will take all you want to give them. Before you transplant them outdoors, make sure to harden them off over the course of a week to make them stronger and acclimate them to the elements.

How to Grow

Dianthus is easy to grow, and ‘Firewitch’ follows the crowd in this way. You’ll find it delightful how quickly they establish, and how long they provide beautiful color and interest in your garden. They have few enemies in terms of pests and diseases, and they aren’t attractive to deer. 

Light

While they will tolerate partial shade, these plants prefer at least six hours of daily sun. With less light, they tend to grow tall and leggy and lose their attractive mat-like quality. Plant them in a spot where they will get sun early in the morning. If they get some shade in the afternoon, it’s fine, as long as they get six to eight hours earlier in the day. 

Water

When you first plant them, you’ll want to give your ‘Firewitch’ dianthus seedlings some extra attention. This includes watering them every two to three days for the first few weeks. Once they establish some roots, you can reduce the watering to about one inch per year. 

Once these plants set up camp in the garden, they are drought-tolerant, and you won’t need to give them additional water except in times of drought. If you experience a bout of dry weather, stick to giving them about one inch of water weekly. 

Soil

Soil composition isn’t important to ‘Firewitch’ dianthus as long as the drainage is good. If you have clay heavy soil or other soil that compacts easily, make sure to amend it with plenty of loose material. Be careful about adding too much organic matter, as this can acidify the soil. They prefer a slightly alkaline pH. 

Temperature and Humidity

Dianthus are cool-weather-loving plants that have a sweet spot between 60 and 75°F (16-24°C). They are more tolerant of cold than heat, and will struggle to continue growing and blooming in hot and humid conditions. They don’t absorb moisture through their leaves, so they don’t require a substantial amount of humidity. 

Fertilizing

This plant is not a heavy feeder, so you won’t need to remember to fertilize it often. In fact, a single yearly application of slow-release fertilizer or some compost will suffice. Go for an all-purpose, balanced formula for this one. 

Maintenance

For most of the season, the main focus for your ‘Firewitch’ should be deadheading. The more spent flowers you remove, the more the plant will bloom, as it isn’t wasting energy holding onto the old. Just use a small pair of harvesting snips to take off the spent blooms just above the next set of leaves. 

In the late fall, once blooming has stopped, cut the entire plant back to about two inches above the ground. With single plants, use a knife or shears to do this job cleanly. If you’re growing this as a ground cover in a large space, you can mow it, leaving a couple of inches. 

Propagation

We talked about propagation from seeds, which is common and effective. Other methods of propagation include cuttings and division, though division is typically the method of choice. It’s an easy plant to divide, and it tolerates transplanting well. 

Cuttings

To propagate from cuttings, wait until at least midsummer, but not later than early fall. Take your cuttings from non-flowering stems with at least two to three inches of viable growth. Remove any leaves from the bottom of the cutting and dip it in rooting hormone. Then insert your cuttings into moist, well-draining potting mix and place them in bright, indirect light. 

Division

To divide your dianthus, you want to work with them when they’re not actively blooming. Early spring or fall is ideal. Dig up the root ball and divide it into sections. Each section needs roots and shoots to thrive. Replant your divisions, leaving one to two feet of space between, and treat them as though they are new plants. 

Common Problems

The pest and disease issues that affect dianthus are fairly standard and few of them are serious. Like any plant, the common garden nuisances can find them, but a healthy plant will stand up to them most of the time. 

Pests

Aphids, spider mites, and thrips are the main insect issues your dianthus may come up against. All of these pests are sap sucking insects that pierce the leaves and stems and drain the plant of nutrients and moisture. Some signs of infestation include yellowing of leaves and stunted growth. 

Natural predators are the ideal defense against nuisance insects, and you can attract these with nectar plants. A strong stream of water from a hose will rid the plant of aphids and mites. However, sometimes other measures are necessary. Neem oil is a less harmful way to eliminate pests than other insecticides. Make sure to spray in the evening, so it dries before the pollinators are back on the scene. 

Diseases

Watch out for crown rot, as overwatering can cause this and root rot. The two tend to go hand in hand. Giving your plants good air circulation helps to prevent rot, but watering is truly the key. Try to avoid overhead watering, and don’t supplement if they are getting enough rainwater. 

Rust is a fungal disease that spreads in the wind, in water, and by other infected plants. Symptoms include poor flowering and reddish-brown pustules on the leaves and stems. You can treat rust with fungicides, but remove affected foliage and dispose of it to avoid spreading it to other plants. 

Fusarium wilt is another fungal disease that can be more serious than others, but it is treatable. The manifestation is yellow, wilting leaves and one side of the plant may dry up. To combat this, a combination of cultural, biological, and anti-fungal controls are best. If you’re dealing with a large number of plants it may be worthwhile. For one plant, removal is probably more effective. 

Frequently Asked Questions