If you have Dianthus, and want more

Fairygirl

We had a conversation a while ago about propagating them from cuttings, and someone mentioned my method of pegging down stems. It's a method that can be used for various plants.
I was checking my Dianthus yesterday, and thought this might be of some use. This one is staying in a pot, but it was getting a bit sparse, so I pegged down several stems last year.
You can see the new, bright upright growth, particularly in the centre of the plant.

Have a go if your Dianthus are looking a bit rough 

Lizzie27

That's a good tip @Fairygirl - thanks.

Nollie

I recently discovered it works for gaura and shrubby salvia - by accident, not design - soil and been scuffled up over a stem or two. I eased out the little gaura one a few weeks ago, replanted it and it took off immediately. Chuffed. Going to try the salvia soon. What other plants does it work for @Fairygirl? 

Fairygirl

It works for heathers and lavender @Nollie. Great when something works isn't it? 
Plants that can get a bit woody are ideal. Lots of big shrubs work as well, like Azaleas etc.
I've never had a problem moving them @Hexagon.  
You could divide that too. I've done that frequently, and it 's sometimes easier than cuttings. 
That one in my pic looked a bit like yours, last year  

Fairygirl

Spireas can be quite easy as cuttings - I think it's a case of choosing the right time though.
Take a reasonable chunk of your dianthus and put it into a pot of gritty soil/compost. Water, and then let it crack on . 
 
I hacked a bit off one of my shocking pink dianthus and it was fine. It was the one which spent a week  being trampled by the builders doing my gable end wall. It looked dreadful

but a couple of months later, it was growing away no problem, and by June it was flowering as normal. 

Nollie

Ok, woody stuff, thanks FG. I will have a mooch around and see if I can find some likely candidates.

NannyEgg

Thanks for that info FG  I'm new here infact this is my first post.
I have Dianthus that are going woody I shall have to try this sounds like a good idea mean while I will also revert to my old way cut some off and stick in some compost and keep my fingers crossed it works about 80% of the time perhaps I'm lucky I don't know 🤔 

B3

and penstemon and  osteospermum but the new plants from th
Os would need to be brought in over winter.

Butterfly66

Thanks @Fairygirl I have a dianthus which has spread and is bare in the middle. Will repot him and give this a try 🙂

Tommie55

Damn @Fairygirl, those re-vitalised Dianthus are STUNNING, So vibrant and fresh.
amazing what a bit of sun, rain & nurturing can do to some otherwise trampled, builders fodder. And I like the idea of pegging down the leggy stems, I’ll give it a go. Well done you

Loxley

I pegged down a clematis a couple of years ago (possibly 3?), and found it had developed into a nice little plant by last Autumn. Takes patience but the good thing about it is you can do it and then just forget about it - no real further attention needed.