Dianthus 'Oscar Purple Star' (Garden Pink) – Hardy Perennial (Set of 3 or 6)

Dianthus 'Oscar Purple Star' is a compact garden pink carrying double, ruffled blooms with a contrasting star centre above neat mounds of grey-green foliage.

The flowers are fully double and finely ruffled, in plush cushion-shaped heads, and they carry the sweet, clove-like scent this group is known for. Plants build into low, cushion-shaped mounds of narrow grey-green leaves that stay put through the colder months, so there is something to look at long after the last bloom. Flowering runs from early spring to late summer, and cutting a few stems for a vase only encourages more.

Give it full sun and soil that drains freely, ideally neutral to slightly alkaline. It suits the front of a border, a rockery, path edging or a patio pot, needs very little water once established, and copes with wind and salt air, so an exposed or seaside garden is no trouble. Winter wet is the one thing it will not forgive, so work grit into heavy ground and keep mulch away from the crown.

Supplied as well-established plants in 10.5cm pots, grown peat-free at our Yorkshire nursery, ready to plant straight into the garden or a container. Deadhead through the season to keep the flowers coming, and give it a light trim once the main flush is over to keep the mound tidy.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Garden pink, dianthus
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 20–25cm x 20–30cm
• Growth Habit: Compact, mound-forming
• Perfect For: Pots, containers, borders, bedding and edging
• Foliage: Narrow, grey-green, neat and tidy
• Flowering Time: Early spring to late summer
• Planting Position: Full sun, including dry and exposed or coastal sites. Happy in patio containers.
• Soil Type: Well-drained, neutral to alkaline. Add grit to heavy soil.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy in Britain and happy to stay outside all year, as long as the soil drains freely over winter.
• Maintenance: Low. Deadhead regularly and trim lightly after flowering.
• Seasonal Interest: Spring and Summer
• Type: Hardy evergreen perennial