How to Grow Picotee Bicolor
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Picotee Bicolor
Dianthus chinensis 'Picotee'
flowerPicotee Bicolor is a charming variety of Chinese pink featuring delicate, ruffled petals with contrasting colored edges that create a distinctive two-tone effect. These compact, bushy plants produce abundant fragrant flowers that bloom prolifically throughout the growing season. The bicolor pattern—typically white or pale centers with darker pink, red, or purple picoted (edged) margins—makes them popular ornamental additions to gardens, containers, and cut flower arrangements.
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Example Picotee Bicolor timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Picotee Bicolor
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Picotee Bicolor blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Picotee Bicolor dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Grows as annual in most zones; thrives in zones 4-9 as cool-season flower
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Seed Germination
7-14 daysTiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons visible. Light and consistent moisture are critical.
Maintain soil temperature of 65-75°F. Keep soil surface moist but not soggy. Provide bright indirect light. Thin seedlings to appropriate spacing once first true leaves appear.
Seedling Development
3-4 weeksTrue leaves emerge and plant develops a small rosette of narrow, blue-green foliage.
Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Gradually reduce watering frequency. Fertilize weekly with diluted balanced fertilizer. Begin hardening off if starting indoors.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops bushy, mounding form with dense foliage. Height reaches 10-18 inches depending on variety.
Pinch growing tips to encourage bushier growth and more flower buds. Maintain consistent moisture and bright light. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Thin to final spacing.
Flowering
8-12 weeks or until frostSmall, fragrant flowers with distinctive picoted edges appear in profusion. Blooms range from single to semi-double forms.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Water consistently. Switch to low-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer to promote flowering. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
Late Season/Decline
Variable based on climateFlowering slows as temperatures cool or heat increases. Foliage may become less vigorous.
Continue deadheading to extend bloom time. Reduce fertilization. In cool climates, may recover with renewed blooming in fall. Tolerates light frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with water to dislodge, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation is severe
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Spray with strong water stream, introduce ladybugs, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, improve air circulation
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and
(Pythium, Phytophthora species)
Improve drainage, avoid overwatering, remove affected plants, apply fungicide if needed
Uses
Edible Garnish
CulinaryDianthus petals are edible and add delicate, slightly sweet-spicy flavor and visual appeal to salads, cocktails, and desserts. Ensure no pesticides have been applied. [source]
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
HouseholdPicotee bicolor flowers last 7-10 days in a vase, making them excellent for fresh arrangements, bouquets, and floral design. Their compact size and profuse blooming make them ideal for small arrangements. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe fragrant flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, supporting local ecosystems and plant pollination. [source]
Dried Flower Arrangements
CraftPicotee flowers can be dried for use in pressed flower crafts, potpourri, and dried arrangements. Hang flowers upside down in a dry location to preserve color. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalDianthus has been used in traditional medicine and herbal preparations for various purposes, though modern scientific validation is limited. Consult herbalists before use. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
For cut flowers, harvest in early morning when petals are crisp and before flowers fully open. Cut stems at 45-degree angle, remove lower foliage, and place immediately in cool water. Deadhead spent blooms at the base of the flower cluster to encourage more buds and extend blooming season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'Picotee' comes from the picot edging technique in lace-making, as the flower petals display similar decorative borders.
- 🌱 Dianthus chinensis has been cultivated in China for over 2,000 years and holds cultural significance in Asian gardening traditions.
- 🌱 The fragrance of certain Dianthus varieties increases in intensity during cool evening hours, attracting night-flying pollinators.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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