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Cheddar Pink Dianthus gratianopolitanus

Phonetic Spelling
dy-AN-thus grat-ee-an-oh-pol-it-AH-nus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Dianthus gratianopolitanus is a species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. The common name of Cheddar Pinks is derived from its native habitat Cheddar Gorge in England. It is a herbaceous perennial blooming from May to June. These spicy clove-scented flowers grow best in full sun in loose, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils. It tolerates light shade, particularly in the afternoon. It will tolerate short dry periods but needs regular watering during prolonged drought. This plant is moderately salt tolerant.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus provides masses of color and good contrast for the rock garden or small border front. It is a good edging plant and looks attractive in a raised bed where it can spill over the edges. The dense mats may be grown together to form an interesting ground cover. It may also be grown on difficult sites such as stone walls.

Problems:

Overwatering or poor drainage leads to crown rot, and it does not tolerate wet winter soil conditions. Other potential pests and problems: bacterial blight, fungal wilt, stem rot, leaf spots, rusts, viruses, aphids, thrips, mites.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Floricyle
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Firewitch
Firewitch
Tags:
#poisonous#small spaces#drought tolerant#moth caterpillar host#salt tolerant#winter interest#slopes#cottage garden#mounding#edging#well-drained soil#spreading#mat#neutral pH#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#fairy garden#groundcover#rock garden#grass-like#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#clumping#border front#humidity tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#garden walls#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#fringed flowers#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#container plant#dense growth#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Firewitch
Firewitch
Tags:
#poisonous#small spaces#drought tolerant#moth caterpillar host#salt tolerant#winter interest#slopes#cottage garden#mounding#edging#well-drained soil#spreading#mat#neutral pH#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#fairy garden#groundcover#rock garden#grass-like#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#clumping#border front#humidity tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#garden walls#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#fringed flowers#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#container plant#dense growth#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dianthus
    Species:
    gratianopolitanus
    Family:
    Caryophyllaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Great Britain to Ukraine
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees, butterflies, and moths
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Wheel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Elliptical
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow leaves that are often blue-gray with a waxy feel
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Humidity
    Salt
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Leaves can cause mild gastrointestinal distress if eaten and mild dermatitis if touched, and vomiting. Skin irritation is brief.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Triterpenoid saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves