Use of Dianthus in Landscaping

Container Gardening

• Dianthus plants are excellent for containers. In smaller containers they can be a central focal point, and in larger containers they're great for the outer edges of the planting. For the central focus, try the taller varieties. Some spectacular cultivars include Chomley Farran, which has an unbelievably beautiful pink and purple variegated flower; and Peach Delight, which has ruffly peach colored flowers. Use low growing types around the edges, like Firewitch, a bright pink-flowered variety, or Spangled Star, which has a red flower spotted white.

Mixed Borders

• Dianthus mixes well with other plants in a mixed border. Many Dianthus plants have blue-green leaves, and offer interest after the flowers are finished blooming. Cranberry Ice offers gorgeous red flowers with pink markings, Neon Star has bright pink flowers, and Raspberry Swirl has bright white flowers edged in red, with red centers. All have icy blue green foliage that stays interesting long after the flowers are gone. The combination of Dianthus colors and textures mixes beautifully with other border plants like candytuft, sandwort or creeping phlox.

Rock Gardens and Walls

• Low growing varieties of Dianthus are great for planting in rocky crevices or stone walls. Cottage pinks or sweet Willams are particularly suitable for this purpose. Itsaul White is a cottage pink with bright white flowers and Pike's Pink has medium pink flowers; both have fringed petals and grassy, blue-green foliage. Sweet William is most often purchased or grown as a collection of mixed colors rather than an individual variety. Colors include red, pink and white, as well as numerous combinations of these colors. They grow low to the ground and have green leaves.

Fragrance Garden

• Fragrance gardens are attractive to people, hummingbirds and butterflies alike. Scented Dianthus flowers most often have a warm clove scent that wafts through the air and greets the nose of the passerby, usually eliciting a smile. Prima Donna has a single, fringy, light pink flower, Tiny Rubies has sweet little red flowers, Eastern Star has red flowers with a darker red center and Fancy Knickers is a double white; all are highly fragrant and perfect for a fragrance garden. Most sweet William types are also very fragrant.