Dianthus gratianopolitanus

Dianthus gratianopolitanus (Cheddar pink) is a species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial, hardy to zones 4-8. It grows to a height of 0.5 to 1 feet, blooming from May to June. Flowers are fragrant and rose pink. Grows best in full sun, and has medium water requirements. Overwatering or poor drainage leads to crown rot, and they do not tolerate wet winter soil conditions.

This dianthus cultivar is one of the cheddar pinks. It is a mat-forming perennial which produces numerous scented rose-pink flowers (to 1.5" diameter) singly or in twos atop wiry stems (to 12" tall) arising from tufted mounds of grassy, gray-green, linear foliage. Flowers are larger than those of most other cultivars in this species, hence the common name. Blooms in spring with some intermittent rebloom in summer, particularly if flowers are promptly deadheaded before producing seed.

Cheddar pinks are best in rock gardens, border fronts or in some difficult sites such as rocky slopes or over stone walls. Effective small area ground cover. Also an effective edging plant.

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Well-drained soils are essential to prevent crown rot. Plants will usually not survive in wet winter soils. Plants prefer slightly alkaline soils. Species tolerates heat and humidity (as well as some drought) better than most other species of dianthus. Remove spent flowers to promote continued bloom. After flowering is completed, plants may be lightly sheared back to maximize foliage effect as a dense ground cover.