Olivia Cherry Dianthus

Olivia Cherry Dianthus (Dianthus 'Olivia Cherry')

Olivia Cherry Dianthus is a compact, mounding perennial that covers blue-green foliage with cherry red, frilly flowers featuring hot pink eyes and hot pink edges at the tips of each petal. Its tidy habit and extended bloom window make a polished edging and container accent for sunny sites.

Distinctive Features

High-contrast, ruffled blooms with vivid centers and margins deliver strong color and close-up detail on sturdy stems. Evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage keeps borders looking finished beyond peak bloom.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for best flowering and compact habit.
• Soil: Well drained, moderately fertile soil; slightly alkaline conditions preferred.
• Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist but avoid waterlogging.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
• Mature Size: About 0.75 to 1 ft tall and 1 to 1.5 ft wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Cherry red, frilly blooms with hot pink accents create vivid front-of-border color.
• Edging: Low, tidy mounds define paths and bed lines cleanly.
• Containers: Performs in patio pots with sharp drainage and regular deadheading.
• Rock Gardens: Compact habit suits gravelly, sunny sites.
• Cut Flowers: Long-lasting, fragrant stems elevate small arrangements.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply, then allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between cycles.
• Pruning: Deadhead promptly and shear lightly after flushes to encourage rebloom.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in spring and again midsummer with a balanced fertilizer.
• Mulching: Use a thin gravel or bark mulch, keeping mulch off the crown to prevent rot.
• Notes: Ensure excellent winter drainage; avoid heavy, wet soils and overcrowding.

Why Choose Olivia Cherry Dianthus?

• Striking Bicolor: Cherry red petals with hot pink eyes and edges read clearly in the landscape.
• Repeat Bloom: Reliable rebloom with regular deadheading and light shearing.
• Fragrance: Classic clove scent enhances paths and patios.
• Compact Habit: Neat cushions stay upright without flopping.
• Versatile Use: Equally effective in beds, borders, rock gardens, and containers.

Plant in full sun with sharp drainage, deadhead consistently, and pair with summer bloomers to maintain a continuous color display.