Dianthus Allwoodii is excellent for cutting and can be grown in the front of the border or in an unexposed pocket in the rock garden. Plant firmly either in April or early October in a good soil mixture containing limestone and bone meal with, if possible, a little well-decayed cow manure. Where slugs are troublesome, surround the plants with weathered soot, as this will both deter the pests and help the plants.
It is advisable to grow varieties which are naturally of a bushy habit and not inclined to be flattened by the wind, although small split canes provide suitable inconspicuous supports.
The lightness and daintiness of the allwoodii varieties make them excellent for all decorative purposes. Many of them are in shades of pink and red having a delightful perfume. Among the best doubles are ‘Monty’ and the orange-scarlet ‘Rupert’. ‘Betty’, ‘Bridget’, ‘Derek’ and ‘Eva’ are also worth growing. Good singles include ‘Winston’, which is very highly scented. ‘Yellow Hammer’ is noteworthy because of its colour.
The woodii alpinus varieties are smaller, but still useful for cutting. ‘Nymph’, ‘Oberon’ and ‘Mars’, with crimson double flowers, and the tiny ‘Tinker Bell’ and ‘Dewdrop’ are first class in every way.
