The Wilson Display Garden is located at the Agricultural Center at 1806 South Goldsboro Street and is open for you to enjoy from dawn until dusk.

The first plant to greet you to the garden is Dianthus in full bloom. There are many species of Dianthus commonly called Pinks or Border Carnations. Pinks are an old favorite and you probably remember the plant fondly from your grandmother's garden.

Pinks are low growing and suitable for rock walls. Because of the small size of this plant, no more than 12 inches, you will want to keep them on the front edge of the garden. Pinks are extremely hardy from Florida to Maine. The cut flower carnation though needs greenhouse conditions to flower.

Pinks may need to be divided every three years to reduce dying out in the center of the plant. Dying out often is a sign of a wet or damp soil which Pinks will not tolerate. Pinks need full sun and excellent drainage for vigorous growth and flowering.

The foliage of our Pinks is gray-green and looks like tufts of grass. The foliage typically is evergreen for interest in the winter garden. The flowers stand about 6 inches tall and can be pin,. rose, white or bi-colored. One cultivar 'Spotted Eye' is a dark pink flower with white spots. Flowers can be fringed, single of double and some are fragrant. Pinks will flower from spring until frost especially if you dead-head or remove the spent flowers.

You can divide these plants in the spring or germinate the seeds. Seeds are not true to type.

Leaf spots can occur but by keeping good air circulation around the plants you can avoid using pesticides. Pinks are definitely one plant you will want in your perennial border.

Soil pH or the amount of lime in your perennial border is crucial to the survival rate of your plants. To find out how much lime you need to apply to your garden bring one cup of dry soil to the Master Gardener Plant Clinic on Saturday, May 15 from 10 AM until noon at Stephens Ace Hardware or on Saturday, May 22 from 10 AM until noon at Lowes. This is a free service, please take advantage of it!

Home gardening questions can be answered on Mondays and Fridays from 1-3 PM at 237-0113.

Date Created: 12/06/00.