Fruit Punch® Whipped Cream Carnation Pinks

Plant in spring, spacing about 12 inches apart in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Carnation pinks require excellent drainage and will rot in heavy, wet, or clay soils. If your soil is acidic, work in a small amount of garden lime before planting. Water moderately, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. These are excellent plants for hot, sunny borders and rock gardens.

Shear plants back by about one-third after the first flush of bloom to encourage a second round of flowers later in the season. The sweetly fragrant blooms are excellent for cutting — harvesting regularly encourages more buds to form. Divide clumps every two to three years in early spring to maintain vigor. Feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer in spring. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers, which promote foliage over flowers.