Oscar White Carnation

Oscar White Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus 'Oscar White') is a compact, clove-scented carnation about 20cm high and wide, with full double white flowers and zigzag-edged petals. It blooms from spring through summer and tolerates heat and frost. The first flowers can open with a pink blush before turning white, so do not be alarmed if early blooms are not pure.

Why you'll love it

• Clean white, double flowers. Frilled, zigzag-edged petals pack each bloom, and white mixes easily with every other colour in the bed.
• A sweet, spicy scent. The clove fragrance is strong enough to notice on a warm evening, which suits a courtyard or a spot by the door.
• Neat and low. At 20cm high and wide it forms a tidy cushion of slender leaves that never overwhelms its neighbours.
• Flowers for two seasons. It blooms through spring and summer, with regular feeding keeping the buds coming.
• Heat and frost tolerant. Bred to cope with hot summers, and mature plants tolerate frost.

Where it works best

Patio pots and window boxes. Three plants fill a 30cm pot and spill a little over the rim. Place it where you will pass close enough to enjoy the scent.

Edging a cottage border. Plant 25cm apart in a row along a path or the front of a bed. White brings calm between stronger colours and glows in evening light.

Summer bedding and sensory gardens. Tuck it between taller perennials or use it in a gravelled bed where the drainage is sharp. The scent and ruffled petals reward anyone who stops to look.

Growing Oscar White Carnation in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, flowering best with plenty of sun. Frost tolerance builds as the plant matures, so shelter small plants from hard frost. It suits warm and cool districts alike; in humid weather, keep the foliage dry and the air moving.

Soil. Give it loamy or sandy, free draining soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. In acid or heavy ground, lift the planting with a raised bed or use a pot with a gritty potting mix.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks or so until established, then water when the soil begins to dry. Feed regularly with a balanced fertiliser, because well fed plants flower more heavily.

Pruning. Deadhead spent blooms and give the plant a light tidy after each flush. That keeps it compact and encourages fresh buds.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Oscar White Carnation as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, so it arrives small and needs a few weeks to settle. Keep the root zone moist, mulch around it and expect the first flowers to build as the plant grows. Some early flowers may emerge pink before they turn white.

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

• Perennial plants for a cottage garden
• Browse more flowering plants
• Plants for balconies and courtyards
• Scented plants for the garden

Common questions

Why are some of the flowers pink?

New Oscar White flowers may open with a pink tinge, then clear to white as they mature. It is normal for this variety and not a sign that the plant is unwell.

Is it toxic to dogs and cats?

Yes, mildly. Carnations can cause stomach upset if eaten, so grow it where curious pets cannot reach it, such as a raised pot or a high window box.

Will it come back each year?

Carnations are perennial, so a healthy plant should return, especially in free draining soil. Tidy it after flowering and keep it fed to hold its form.