How to Grow Telstar Picotee
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Telstar Picotee
Dianthus chinensis × Dianthus barbatus hybrid (cultivar 'Telstar Picotee')
flowerTelstar Picotee is a compact, dwarf dianthus hybrid featuring distinctive two-toned flowers with white petals edged in deep pink or red. This floriferous annual produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season and is prized for its ornamental appeal in borders, containers, and cut flower arrangements. The plant typically reaches 12-15 inches tall with a mounding, bushy habit.
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Example Telstar Picotee timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Telstar Picotee
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 Telstar Picotee blooms
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Telstar Picotee dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Performs best in zones 3-9; grows as annual in zones 2-10
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Get my Telstar Picotee timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate and pale green
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Maintain temperatures of 65-70°F. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once established.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksBushy mounding plant with numerous lance-shaped blue-green leaves, no flowers yet
Water regularly and allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Begin fertilizing with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier, more compact growth.
Bud Formation
2-3 weeksPlant develops tight clusters of small, unopened flower buds at stem tips
Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Increase phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote abundant flowering. Remove any weak or diseased growth.
Flowering
8-12 weeks or until frostAbundant picotee blooms with white petals and distinct pink or red edge coloring, flowers clustered at stem tips
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Maintain consistent watering—avoid both drought and overwatering. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to prevent excessive leaf growth at expense of flowers.
Decline/End of Season
Variable, typically until frostFlowering gradually slows as temperatures drop in fall or if plant becomes stressed by heat or drought
Continue deadheading to extend bloom. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 85°F. Cut back or remove plant before heavy frost or as it declines.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation is heavy. Increase humidity.
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Choose resistant varieties when possible. Ensure excellent drainage and avoid overhead watering. Remove infected plants immediately to prevent spread.
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Spray with strong stream of water or use insecticidal soap. Apply neem oil for heavy infestations.
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and
Handpick, especially at dusk. Use copper tape barriers or diatomaceous earth around plants. Beer traps can be effective.
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Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Spray with sulfur dust or baking soda solution if disease appears. Avoid overhead watering.
Uses
Edible garnish
CulinaryDianthus petals are edible and add a peppery-spicy flavor and attractive picotee appearance to salads, desserts, and cocktails. Ensure flowers are pesticide-free before consuming. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
HouseholdTelstar Picotee is excellent for fresh flower bouquets and arrangements due to its long vase life (7-14 days) and abundant blooms. The distinctive picotee coloring makes striking focal points in mixed arrangements. [source]
Dried flower crafts
CraftFlowers can be air-dried for use in dried arrangements, pressed flowers, or potpourri. Harvest flowers when fully open but before fading for best color retention. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe abundant nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, making these plants valuable for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalHistorically, dianthus has been used in traditional medicine for its diuretic and antiseptic properties, though modern scientific evidence is limited. Consult healthcare professionals before using medicinally. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers in early morning when stems are turgid. Hold stems under water while cutting for best vase life. Remove lower leaves that would sit below the waterline. Change water every 2-3 days. Cutting frequently encourages more blooming.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'Dianthus' comes from Greek words meaning 'flower of the gods' (dios = god, anthos = flower), reflecting its historical importance and ornamental beauty.
- 🌱 Telstar Picotee is part of the All-America Selections (AAS) award-winning Telstar series, recognized for reliability and garden performance across diverse growing regions.
- 🌱 The picotee pattern (contrasting colored edge on petals) is highly prized by florists and gardeners and occurs naturally in dianthus due to specific genetic and environmental factors that concentrate pigmentation at petal margins.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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