Dianthus Seeds 'Ideal Select Rose'

• Abundant rose-red flowers
• Forms a neat, compact plant
• Long flowering period
• Great for pots

Bushy, free-flowering Dianthus 'Ideal Select Rose' produces masses of superb rose-red flowers above mounds of narrow green leaves from late spring to autumn. Neat and compact, it’s ideal for pots or edging a border.

Sow indoors

February-March: Sow on the surface of lightly firmed, moist compost in pots or trays and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag and keep at 18-20°C (64-68°F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination takes 2-4 weeks. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow Dianthus plants on in cooler conditions.

Sow outdoors

March-April: Sow in well drained soil once the last frosts have passed, covering thinly with fine soil, keep moist, thin to 30cm (12in) once seedlings have three sets of leaves.

Plant out

Tips

Deadhead faded blooms to keep plants blooming for longer.