Oscar Cherry & Velvet Carnation

Oscar Cherry & Velvet Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus 'Oscar Cherry & Velvet') is a compact, long-flowering carnation about 20cm high and wide. Its full double flowers have zigzag-edged petals in deep rose-pink with darker wine-purple centres and a sweet, spicy clove scent. It blooms through spring and summer and tolerates heat and frost, which makes it a dependable choice for pots, rockeries and cottage borders.

Why you'll love it

• A rich, velvety colour. Deep rose-pink petals shade to wine-purple centres, a darker and moodier look than the pale pinks most carnations offer.
• Clove-scented flowers. The sweet, spicy fragrance carries on warm days, so it earns a place beside a path, seat or doorway.
• Compact and neat. At 20cm high and wide it stays tidy, with slender leaves forming a low cushion under the flowers.
• Months of bloom. Flowers come through spring and summer, and regular feeding keeps the display going.
• Made for heat and cold. It is bred to cope with hot summers, and mature plants shrug off frost.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. One plant suits a small pot, and three fit a 30cm bowl or window box. Stand it in full sun, where the scent builds around a patio table.

Cottage garden borders and edging. Plant 25cm apart along the front of a bed. The plants knit into a low flowering edge that softens paths and paving.

Rockeries and sensory gardens. Sharp drainage and alkaline soil suit it, and the clove scent earns it a spot where people brush past.

Growing Oscar Cherry & Velvet Carnation in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with the best flowering in sun. Mature plants tolerate frost, but protect young plants from hard frost in their first winter. In humid summers, give it airflow and avoid wetting the foliage.

Soil. A loamy, sandy, free draining soil with a neutral to alkaline pH gives the best results. On heavy clay or acid ground, grow it in a raised bed or a pot of good potting mix.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until it is established, which usually takes around 12 weeks. After that, water when the top few centimetres dry out. Regular feeding with a liquid or slow release fertiliser promotes healthy growth and more blooms.

Pruning. Pinch off spent flowers to keep new buds coming, and trim lightly after the main flush to hold the cushion shape.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Oscar Cherry & Velvet Carnation as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small plant, so allow around 12 weeks of regular watering and mulching while it settles in. Flowers build as the plant gains size.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More fragrant plants
• Plants for rockeries
• How to create a cottage garden in Australia
• Plants for pots and containers

Common questions

Is it safe for pets?

No. Carnations are mildly toxic to dogs and cats and can cause stomach upset if eaten, so keep pots out of reach of pets that like to chew plants.

How long does it flower?

Through spring and summer. Removing spent flowers and feeding regularly encourages more buds and keeps the plant flowering for longer.

What soil does it need?

Light, free draining soil that is neutral to alkaline. It dislikes wet feet, so on clay or acid soil use a raised bed or a pot.