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Woody Dianthus

gemmab769gemmab769 Posts: 10
in Problem solving
My dianthus is less than a year old but seems to have got woody already - can i cut this right back in to the woody stems or just down to the lowest leaves??

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Don't cut them back into the woody areas, they seldom come back. I would leave them. These plants are quite short lived and will rely on you to take cuttings and rooting them into small pots. That way, you have a fresh supply of young plants. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You can also peg them down - layer them. It's often easier than pipings [cuttings]  :)
    The ground its in looks very heavy and wet. That may not have helped. They need really free draining, neutral to alkaline soil.
    Most of mine are in raised beds or pots which makes it easier. The one that's in the ground is an indestructible one, and it's planted in mostly gravel. 

    They shouldn't be as woody when that age though, so I think it's a cultivation problem more than anything. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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