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Dianthus and Climate Change

Not a day goes by without reference to climate change in the media with warnings of dire consequences to the planet. The recent floods have highlighted the concerns. CO2 emissions and the use of fossil fuels are blamed. Not everyone accepts that climate change is taking place and amongst those who acknowledge that it is, not everyone believes that man is to blame. However one fact must surely unite all and that is that if we use up all the fossil fuels at the rate we are there will be none left for future generations.

So what does this have to do with Dianthus? Increasingly consumers are looking at the carbon footprint of what they purchase. The phrase “Food Miles” is becoming commonplace and increasingly people are buying food in season and produced locally. And for the enthusiasts there is a massive increase in home grown vegetables, something to be applauded. Not only are transport issues eliminated but the food tastes better and above all there is the immense satisfaction of producing your own.

The same issues apply to cut flowers and increasingly pressure groups such as Garden Organic are raising them. The bunch of flowers from the supermarket or garage forecourt have almost certainly been flown half way round the world from South America or Africa. The time has come to look at what we purchase and make informed choices. This is NOT a campaign against the international flower trade. (There is a powerful argument that trade with developing countries is better than aid). However for those who want to reduce environmental impact growing your own cut flowers is a simple and rewarding task. In recent years gardeners such as Sarah Raven have done much to promote “The Cutting Garden”. There are of course a great many flowers which can be grown for cutting. Dahlias when in season provide masses of colourful, though short lived blooms. Sweet peas are excellent but need replacing every other day. Chrysanthemums last longer but again are very seasonal. But for those of us who grow dianthus, carnations and pinks can truly be considered “The King” of cut flowers. It is not by chance that they have been the cut flower trade’s choice bloom over the years. Their longevity, robustness, and colour range have seen to that. Whilst other flowers will provide a colourful arrangement, if you really want to grow quality, long lasting blooms for cutting choose pinks and carnations.

For the enthusiastic amateur perpetually flowering carnations can provide blooms throughout the year, though to do this a little winter heat is required. (This is obviously in conflict with the desire to reduce carbon emissions though with the increasing use of renewable energy sources that may not always be the case). Plants can be grown perfectly well in a cold greenhouse. They simply will stop flowering in the winter. Large flowered, standard blooms can be grown or spray carnations with a multitude of smaller blooms per stem. Pinks, particularly modern repeat flowering varieties can be cut from the garden or grown under glass to provide perfect blooms. Many modern pinks (particularly those introduced by Whetman’s Pinks) are highly scented. For those on a budget why not grow a packet of Annual carnation seeds and plant out either in the flower border or as a row in the vegetable garden. These will produce armfuls of flowers for just a few pence.

The purpose of this article is not to provide detailed cultural information. (That can be found elsewhere and anyone interested could do no better than to join the British National Carnation Society). The aim is to encourage the home growing of cut flowers; whether to reduce global warming, to save oil reserves for future generations, or simply to give one the immense satisfaction of knowing that the beautiful blooms gracing your table or given as a bouquet are the result of your own efforts. And above all to promote dianthus in all its forms as the bloom of choice.

James Dennison
July 2007