Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
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long stem carnation plants

Long stem carnation plants are prized in New Zealand gardens for their elegance, versatility, and outstanding performance as cut flowers. Their tall, sturdy stems and vibrant blooms make them a favourite for adding height and drama to floral displays, borders, and containers. Whether you're looking to enhance your garden or searching for reliable blooms for bouquets, long stem carnation plants promise beauty and longevity. These classic perennials are also renowned for their delightful fragrance and low maintenance, making them a delightful addition to any outdoor space.

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as the Licorice plant, is a popular, evergreen shrub that is often used as a groundcover. It produces long stems that host small and rounded, grey-silver leaves. The leaves are complemented with cream-coloured flowers in summer as it grows to 50 cm tall and 1.5 m wide. Helichrysum petiolare is commonly included in rock and cottage gardens, used in border plantings, maintained in a container, planted around outdoor living areas such as pools and the like, or mass planted as a groundcover on a bank.

Buy Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

From $24.23

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 50 cm

Spread: 1.50 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock

Dianthus Memories

Dianthus Memories is a scented variety of Carnation that features masses of double, white, highly fragrant flowers. These stunning flowers are produced from spring through until late summer on short stems that rise above the foliage. This award-winning plant grows as a low mound of grassy, green-grey leaves which serve as a lovely backdrop to the flowers as it grows to 30 cm tall and the same wide. Dianthus Memories is a popular herbaceous perennial that is often grown in a container, included in borders and mixed plantings, mass planted for a spectacular show, or included in gardens around living areas.

Buy Dianthus Memories

From $16.13

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Perennials

Height: 30 cm

Spread: 30 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Why Choose Long Stem Carnation Plants?

Long stem carnation plants are a top choice for both home gardeners and professional growers. Their robust stems support numerous blooms throughout the season, ensuring a steady supply of flowers for both display and cutting. These plants thrive in New Zealand's temperate climate, adapting well to various soil types and excelling in both full sun and partial shade. Their resilience means less fuss and more flowering, even for those new to gardening.

A standout among these is the Carnation 'Otaki Pink', which offers striking pink blooms on impressive stems. This variety is perfect for those seeking reliable long stem carnation options with strong, consistent flowering.

Best Practices for Growing Long Stem Carnations

To achieve the longest, healthiest stems, plant long stem carnation plants in well-drained soil, enriched with compost or organic matter. Regular feeding with a balanced fertiliser will encourage repeat flowering and robust growth. Ensure each plant has adequate space to promote air circulation, reducing the risk of disease and ensuring straight stem development.

Mulching around your carnations helps retain moisture and keeps weeds at bay, two factors that further enhance stem length and flower quality. Removing faded blooms will encourage new growth and keep your plants looking their best.

Companion Plants for Carnation Borders

Long stem carnation plants are even more stunning when paired with complementary perennials in mixed borders. Consider planting them alongside Dianthus Memories for a fragrant and colourful effect. For a contrasting foliage texture, Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant) offers silvery-grey leaves that beautifully frame carnation blooms.

If you're designing a border with diverse heights and textures, the lush leaves of Bergenia cordifolia (Pig Squeak Plant) create low, bold mounds beneath your carnations. For a modern twist, integrating striking foliage like Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant) can help create dynamic container arrangements or eye-catching bedding schemes.

Enjoying Long Stem Carnations as Cut Flowers

One of the main appeals of long stem carnation plants is their exceptional performance as cut flowers. Their sturdy stems and long vase life ensure your home is filled with fresh, fragrant blooms week after week. For best results, cut stems in the morning when buds are just opening and immediately place them in water. Regularly changing the water and trimming the stems will help the flowers last even longer indoors.

Find Long Stem Carnation Plants for Your Garden

Browse our selection of long stem carnation plants and discover varieties like Carnation 'Otaki Pink' that suit every style of garden and bouquet. Enhance your beds with these classic perennials and pair them with favourites such as Dianthus Memories and Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant) for a complete, thriving garden display.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.