Carnations, known as dianthus (Dianthus caryophyllus), are a perennial grown widely for use as cut flowers.

Dianthus are fairly easy to grow and care for. Dianthus carophyllus does best in USDA hardiness Zones 5 to 10, so it is not quite as cold hardy as other dianthus varieties. Although dianthus are sometimes known as a short-lived perennial, if they have the right conditions, you can expect years of beauty and fragrance from them.