Pretty Perennial Dianthus for Rock Gardens

Dianthus deltoides, Dianthus gratianopolinatus, Maiden Pinks, Cheddar Pinks

Prized for the beauty of their blooms and their sweet clove fragrance, Dianthus is a massive genus of 300 species of flowering plants, native mainly to Europe and Asia. They range from the classic Sweet William of cottage gardens to the highly prized florist’ Carnations, including charming rock garden miniatures.

Numerous Dianthus species and cultivars are wonderful subjects in rock gardens. Very floriferous, they form beautiful, tight mounds of bright and colorful, sometimes uniquely patterned flowers that are hard to beat in terms of floral display. Their foliage is equally attractive, often glaucous blue and evergreen.
The main bloom period is spring to early summer, but some Dianthus rebloom later in the season or keep flowering into fall if regularly deadheaded.
Easy and accommodating, Dianthus enjoy sunny shaded sites with well-drained soils. Good drainage is critical, and you should avoid planting Dianthus where the soil is continuously soggy. The biggest cultivation issue with Dianthus is crown rot. Thus do not mulch in the winter with compost. A gravel grit mulch such as pea gravel or chicken grit is a good topping for around Dianthus cushions to prevent the foliage from sitting on the ground.

Below is a list of wonderful species and cultivars for your rock garden.

Guide Information

Hardiness	5 - 9
Plant Type	Perennials
Genus	Dianthus
Exposure	Full Sun
Height
Spread
Maintenance	Low
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Fragrant
Tolerance	Drought, Deer
Garden Styles	Gravel and Rock Garden

Pretty Perennial Dianthus for Rock Gardens

Dianthus ‘Candy Floss’ (Pink)

Very compact and free flowering, Dianthus ‘Candy Floss’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of highly scented, fully double, pale sugar pink flowers, adorned with purplish-red markings near the center. The delicately toothed petals develop darker shades of pink at maturity. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), the elegantly ruffled blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)
Spread	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)

Dianthus ‘Coconut Surprise’ (Pink)

Very compact and free flowering, Dianthus ‘Coconut Surprise’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of delightfully scented, pure white double flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (4 cm), adorned with a claret red eye. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), the elegantly frilled blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)
Spread	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Dianthus ‘Coral Reef’ (Pink)

Very compact and free flowering, Dianthus ‘Coral Reef’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of delightfully scented, deep coral double flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (4 cm), adorned with white picotee edges. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), the elegantly frilled blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)
Spread	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Dianthus ‘Fire Star’ (Pink)

Noted for its compact growth and long blooming season, Dianthus ‘Fire Star’ (Pink) is a vigorous semi-evergreen perennial which produces an abundance of clove-scented, brilliant red flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (4 cm), adorned with a darker crimson eye. Blooming in late spring to mid-summer, the fiery blossoms, up to 3-5 per stem, rise slightly above a dense glaucous mound of narrow, gray-green leaves. Some sporadic rebloom in the summer may occur, specifically if the plant is deadheaded regularly.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	6" - 9" (15cm - 23cm)
Spread	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)

Dianthus ‘Fizzy’ (Pink)

One of the earliest and longest flowering, Dianthus ‘Fizzy’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of wonderfully scented, double, lavender flowers adorned with serrated edges and deep purple centers. Blooming in early to mid-spring through late summer (with regular deadheading), the frilly blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Spread	8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)

Dianthus ‘Memories’

A modern and improved version of the old-time favorite ‘Mrs Sinkins’ introduced in 1863, Dianthus ‘Memories’ (Pink) is a lovely evergreen perennial with masses of highly scented, fully double, pure white flowers. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), the elegantly frilled blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)
Spread	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)

Dianthus ‘Passion’ (Pink)

Very compact and free flowering, Dianthus ‘Passion’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of highly scented, rich velvety red, double flowers. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), the elegantly frilled blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)
Spread	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Dianthus ‘Pink Fizz’ (Pink)

Very compact and free flowering, Dianthus ‘Pink Fizz’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of highly scented, fully double, bubblegum pink flowers. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), the elegantly ruffled blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)
Spread	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Dianthus ‘Raspberry Surprise’ (Pink)

Very compact and free flowering, Dianthus ‘Raspberry Surprise’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of highly scented, semi-double, rosy pink flowers adorned with a burgundy eye. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), the frilly blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)
Spread	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Dianthus ‘Romance’ (Pink)

Very compact and free flowering, Dianthus ‘Romance’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of highly scented, salmon-pink double flowers adorned with a carmine blush eye. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), the elegantly frilled blossoms rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)
Spread	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Dianthus ‘Sugar Plum’ (Pink)

Very compact and free flowering, Dianthus ‘Sugar Plum’ (Pink) is a charming evergreen perennial with masses of highly scented, double flowers packed with wavy petals of maroon, pink and white. Blooming in late spring through summer (with regular deadheading), they open from attractive chocolate buds and rise on short, stout stems above a low cushion of grassy, blue-green leaves.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)
Spread	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Dianthus deltoides (Maiden Pink)

Vigorous and free-flowering, Dianthus deltoides (Maiden Pink) is an evergreen perennial forming a spreading mat of narrow, green leaves. In late spring and summer, the foliage mound is covered by a profusion of heavily fringed, small, single flowers in shades of red, pink or white. Borne on branched flowering stems, the dainty blossoms attract bees and butterflies, but are ignored by deer. Easy to grow, Maiden Pink is excellent in rock gardens, as an edging or groundcover and among paving stones.

Hardiness	3 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread	6" - 2' (15cm - 60cm)

Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’ (Cheddar Pink)

Rich with a pleasing clove fragrance, Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’ (Cheddar Pink) is an evergreen perennial which produces an abundance of brilliant, purplish-pink, small flowers with frilled petals atop wiry stems. Rising from tufted mounds of grassy, blue-gray, silvery foliage, they bloom in mid to late spring, in such quantities that the blossoms literally cover the plant. Some sporadic rebloom in the summer and fall will occur, specifically if the plant is deadheaded regularly.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spread	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.