Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Red Beauty'
Common Name(s):
Pinks
Cheddar pinks
Synonym:
Clove Pinks
Flower:
Red
Blooms :
May
to:
Aug
Small to 1 inch diameter, pinking-sheer edged petals
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
YES
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Gray-Green
Glaucous, grass-like linear leaves
Fall Color?
YES
Dense semi-evergreen mat of blue-green foliage
Photo by:
Heading 6
Fine, glossy foliage offers persistent color and texture
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Southwest England (Cheddar Valley), east to Poland & Ukraine. Information generally for naturally occuring Dianthus gratianopolitanus. This new cultivar was discovered as a whole plant and selected during April 2007 in a controlled environment at Rougemont, N.C
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
6-8"
Spread:
18-20"
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Cultivar so has no native habitat but parentage would like rocky mountainous habitat
Soil:
Well-drained; sandy or gravelly; slightly alkaline preferred; tolerates salt
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Scatter a thin layer of compost aroung base of plant or use a single application of a granular slow-release fertilizer in early spring
Mulch:
Crushed oyster shells, limestone gravel, or pea gravel
Plant in full sun, well-drained slightly alkaline soil, water thoroughly but let dry out between waterings, deadhead spent blooms, remove dead or fallen plant matter, dig and divide every 2-3 years
Long Term:
Winter:
Maintain good drainage, mulch if not done in fall, remove debris from base
Spring:
Prune diseased, dead, damaged foliage, deadhead flowers back to foliage for re-bloom, water deeply but let top one inch of soil dry out before more watering, apply light layer of organic compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer
Summer:
Give full sun, provide atout 1" of water per week, deadhead, after blooming shear off old flowering stems and about 1/3 of foliage
Fall:
Prune if not done in summer, clear dead leaves, weeds, and fallen debris around base of plant, reduce watering, apply a layer if mulch (straw or shredded leaves) around base
General Care Comments:
Deadhead quickly after flower fades to aid in rebloom, to protect from rot, do not overwater, needs 6 hours of direct sun, well-drained slightly alkaline soil, single application of a balanced garden fertilizer in spring
Common Problems
Too much water, insufficient sunlight
Diseases:
Alternaria blight, Fusarium & Bacterial wilts, gray mold, stem rot, leaf spots, rusts, viruses
Insects:
Aphids, thrips, spider mites
Environmental Problems:
Waterlogged soils, heat and humidity stress, pH imbalances
Pests:
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