Fruit Punch® 'Whipped Cream' Dianthus
Perennial
- Enjoy refreshing white blooms summer to fall!
- Dianthus hybrid that brightens borders & cut flower gardens.
- Deer-resistant & heat-tolerant perennial ground cover.
- Fragrance will have garden visitors (& pollinators) buzzing.
- Zones 4-9, sun to part sun, 8-10" tall x 12-16" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Dianthus are hardy and tough perennials that are suitable for gardeners of any level. They're often the favorite of growers here at Great Garden Plants because they're effortless to grow and always fill the greenhouse with a light fragrance. They're drought tolerant, deer resistant, and packed full of flower power with bright carnation-like flowers. While we don't recommend it, we always joke they could be run over by a truck and still keep their cheerful disposition. Try planting them in rock gardens, containers, mass planting, or even small spaces for a memorable display.
Details
Common name: Carnation, pinks, cheddar pinks
Zone: 4 – 9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 8- 10" X 12-14"
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Silvery-blue foliage
Season of interest: Early summer - fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Space savers, Proven Winners, low flammability, ground covers, deer resistant, container plants, best for beginners, fragrant, pollinator-friendly, heat-tolerant
Uses: Alpine and rock, container gardening, cottage gardening, edging, erosion control, ground cover, massing, rock garden, slopes, small spaces, under planting
How to Grow
Light: Full sun is preferred; can grow in part shade, though the blooms will not be as prolific.
Water: Average water needs. Drought tolerant once established, but should be watered regularly during periods of hot, dry weather.
Spacing: 12-16 inches
Fertilizing: Nothing special required; one application of garden fertilizer in early spring is sufficient.
Winterizing: Remove all the dead and fallen plant matter to prevent the risk of rot or damage. Evergreen perennial may look a bit tatty coming out of harsh winters, but will recover as spring begins.
Maintenance & pruning: Little to no pruning or maintenance needed. Though deadheading is not required, it will encourage additional flower production. Cut blooms as desired to use in arrangements.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.