Neon Star Dianthus

Neon Star Dianthus (Dianthus 'Neon Star')

Neon Star Dianthus (Dianthus 'Neon Star') is a compact, high impact perennial prized for intensely fluorescent magenta pink blooms and a classic clove like perfume. Flowering heavily from late spring through summer, this eye catching selection forms a dense evergreen mound of blue green foliage that adds fine texture year round. Bred for staying power in sunny, dry sites, it excels in borders, rock gardens, and containers where vivid color and tidy form are essential.

Distinctive Features

Neon Star blankets itself in abundant single electric pink flowers with subtly ruffled petals held just above the foliage for a crisp modern presentation. The spicy sweet fragrance invites close up enjoyment and pollinator activity, while the plant's compact habit resists flopping, keeps edges clean, and maintains a polished look through the heat of summer.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for best bloom and dense habit.
• Soil: Very well drained, neutral to alkaline; avoid heavy waterlogged sites.
• Water: Moderate; allow the top inch to dry between waterings, excellent drought tolerance once established.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.

Ideal Uses

• Edging and Borders: Low uniform cushions outline paths and beds with neon color.
• Rock and Gravel Gardens: Shines in sharply drained sites alongside sedums and thyme.
• Containers and Troughs: Compact size and long blooming performance suit patios and entries.
• Cottage and Pollinator Gardens: Fragrance and nectar rich flowers attract bees and butterflies.
• Mass Plantings: Repeated in drifts, it creates a high contrast long blooming carpet.
• Focal Point: Vivid color draws the eye in small modern spaces.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep evenly moist during establishment, then water deeply but infrequently.
• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms regularly; a light shear after the first flush promotes quick rebloom and a tight mound.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly with a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring; avoid excessive nitrogen.
• Soil and Mulch: Provide sharp drainage; use mineral mulches such as grit or gravel rather than heavy organic mulch to protect the crown.
• Grooming: In late winter, clear any winter tired foliage to refresh growth.

Why Choose Neon Star Dianthus?

• Intense Magenta Pink Blooms: Electric color that reads from a distance and pops in modern or cottage designs.
• Extended Bloom Season: Reliable flowering from late spring through summer with fast rebloom after shearing.
• Heat and Drought Tough: Thrives in sunny lean soils with minimal watering once established.
• Fragrant and Pollinator Friendly: Clove scented flowers draw bees and butterflies.
• Easy and Resilient: Evergreen mounds are deer resistant, low mess, and stay tidy without staking.

Dianthus 'Neon Star' delivers show stopping color, perfume, and performance in a compact package, an effortless long blooming highlight for sunny well drained spaces.