Dianthus carthusianorum (Carthusian Pink)

Dianthus carthusianorum (Carthusian Pink) is an evergreen perennial boasting rounded, upward-facing, cherry-red to deep magenta flowers throughout the summer. The blossoms are borne in dense terminal clusters, opening from leathery bracts. They sit atop tall stalks and float above the narrow, grassy green foliage. Easy to grow, Carthusian Pink brings color and lightness to prairies, meadows or naturalized areas. Plant it with ornamental grasses for a great look. Moving in the gentlest breeze, the grasses make a good foil for long-stemmed plants, such as Dianthus carthusianorum.

• Grows up to 20-30 in. tall (50-75 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm). German Pink may self-seed in optimum growing conditions.
• Performs best in full sun in neutral to alkaline, well-drained soils. Prefers a soil enriched with well-rotted manure or garden compost and an application of a balanced fertilizer in spring.
• Extremely versatile, German Pink is ideal for beds and borders, banks and slopes, cottage gardens, gravel gardens, prairies and meadows, orcontainers.
• Deadhead to prolong flowering.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer or by layering after flowering.
• Native to Europe, from Spain north to Belgium and Poland, and east to Ukraine, Carthusian Pink occurs naturally in dry, grassy habitats at elevations of up to 8,200 ft. (2,500 m).
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.