Appleblossom Burst Pink Dianthus

From a dense mat of silver-blue foliage, many stems sprout up to almost a foot tall, carrying a profusion of gorgeous, scented miniature carnations – meet the beautiful Appleblossom Burst Dianthus. Pluck one and breath in the classic clove-scent that has been lost in carnations from the florist. Each stem carries 3 to 5 blooms, each an inch across, charming double blooms with serrated edges on the petals. The flowers open a bright pink, gradually fading to white, with a deep-red center giving a striking contrast. This plant blooms as spring ends and summer begins, and is a great color-bridge in your perennial garden or rock garden. Flowers last over a week when cut for a vase, and once the blooming season is over you have a fabulous groundcover mat of silver-blue that is perfect among rocks, on a sunny slope, or edging a path or paved terrace. Plant several of our great Dianthus plants and enjoy perfume, color and beauty from these essential perennials that are easy to grow, drought tolerant and evergreen.

• Dense, spreading mat of blue-silver foliage
• Gorgeous, scented miniature carnations in clusters on every stem
• Beautiful pink blossoms change to white, with a deep-red center
• Sun-loving and drought tolerant – ideal for rock gardens and edging
• Attractive to butterflies and pollinating insects

Plant the Appleblossom Burst Dianthus in full sun, in any well-drained soil. Thrives in gritty, sandy or gravel soils, and enjoys alkaline and limestone soils too. If you have acidic soil, add a handful of garden lime to the soil when planting. Drought tolerant, especially in cooler zones, once established, Normally untouched by deer or rabbits, and doesn’t have any significant pest issues, making it ideal for new gardeners. Use a pair of sharp shears to remove the dead flowers and trim the foliage lightly, as soon as the last blooms are over. This keeps the mat tight and blooming profusely, but don’t cut back in fall. In early spring simply snip out any dead or damaged stems – these are rare in this tough and reliable plant.