Mid-Century Hybrids, such as ‘Ivory
Towers’, ‘Moody Blues’, ‘Rosy Future’,
and ‘Ultra Violets’, have stronger
stems and are more resistant to
powdery mildew.
The New Millennium Series from
Dowdeswell’s Delphiniums of Wan-
ganui, New Zealand, sold as cultivars
including ‘Blue Lace’, ‘New Millenium
Stars’, and ‘Royal Aspirations’, is your
best bet if you want to grow the
magnificent tall hybrid delphiniums—
especially if you want to grow them
outside of the cool, mild, low-humidity
areas where they typically thrive.
Singles and doubles are available in
the full color range from blue to pink
to white. These delphiniums have
vigor and disease resistance surpass-
ing previous strains, but they are by no
means carefree and will still need rich
soil, regular irrigation, fertilizing, and
staking.Dianthus ×allwoodii
allwood pink
c aryophyllaceae
Pink or white fragrant flowers; gray-green
leaves
8–18 in. high; 12 in. wide
Full sun
Blooms June–July
Zones 5–8
pruning Deadheading plants to
lateral buds will keep them flowering
for approximately 6–8 weeks, some-
times longer—this is the main pruning
that is needed. The habit of the species
and most of its cultivars is tufted, and I
find that the allwood pinks do not
respond to shearing after flowering
like the mat- or cushion-forming
dianthus do. Such pruning results in
weaker, thinner plants for this species.
Plants have a tendency to get woody
with age. They may be killed if cut
back heavily into old wood, particu-
larly if no new buds are breaking. Do
not cut evergreen foliage back for the
winter. Plants often need some foliage
cleaned up in the spring from winter
damage.
other maintenance Must have
well-draining soil, and prefers alkaline
conditions. Usually short-lived,
particularly in areas with high
humidity and clay soils. I like to plant
with large amounts of grit and mulch
with grit around the base of the plants.
Keep heavy mulch away from the
crowns. Give the plants space so as to
increase air circulation.
related plantS Dianthus plumar-
ius, a parent of D. ×allwoodii, is longer
lived and offers many cultivars from
which to choose. These plants are
more cushion forming and will benefit
from a shearing after flowering to keep
them from opening in the center.
Shear back by half or remove the old
flower stems and at least a third of the
foliage. Dianthus plumarius may also
benefit from a trim around the edges
to reduce the size of the clump and to
eliminate scraggly outer growth. Lift
the foliage and trim off at the base of
the bare outer stems underneath. Do
not prune for the winter, but cut back
if needed in the early spring.Dianthus ×allwoodii