I planted 8 Hardy Carnations 2 years ago. Each summer (late spring?), I have only had a couple of flowers each year. I expected to not get anything the first year but was very disappointed to still have nothing last year. The plants looked nice and green, just no flowers. This spring, I cut off all the dead leaves and have only a little green showing. I am in zone 4. These plants are in full sun. I have no clue as to what I am doing wrong. Obviously, I am an unexperienced gardener. Help!

If carnations are planted with any part of their stems buried they will not flower very well. They should be planted at the same depth that they were originally growing at. Likewise, be sure to keep any mulch pulled back from the plant during the growing season to ensure that there is free air movement around the stems. Acid soil (below pH 6.0) will also inhibit flower production.
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