Devine Dianthus

Ask any experienced gardener and they'll tell you that no garden bed is complete without a representative of this group of annuals bringing their particular brand of hardy good cheer. Dianthus is one of those all-rounder's that satisfies, no matter your priorities.

Dianthus offers the gardener excellent value for money as a bedding plant. With just a little care they will brighten up your garden for up to a year. They are very tolerant of both heat and cold so can be planted throughout the year. For those with limited space, pot up a couple of trays of Dianthus. Remember, if the pots are on a patio that gets very warm you will need to water them regularly. Dianthus doesn't do too well in acid soil so add lime to your beds if they are acidic. Feed the beds with a well-balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Information supplied by the Bedding Plant Growers Association. For more information please visit www.lifeisagarden.co.za