STAR SINGLE™ Eastern Star Dianthus

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Bold Blooms For Sun & Soil Looking for a long-blooming, low-growing burst of color that Ma Nature herself might envy? Meet the showstopping STAR SINGLE™ Eastern Star Dianthus (Dian thus gratianopolitanus 'Eastern Star'), a fragrant perennial with luminous magenta-red blooms that seem to glow against blue-green foliage. This sun-loving beauty is part of the STAR SINGLE™ series, bred for exceptional flower power and compact form. Blooming in late spring through early summer and often reblooming in cooler climates, it's a darling of pollinators and gardeners alike. Low and mounded in habit, this Dianthus only grows about 6–8 inches tall and spreads 10–12 inches wide. The evergreen, narrow, almost silvery blue foliage creates a tidy clump that stays attractive even when it's not in flower. The single-petaled, vivid blooms are star-shaped with a darker eye, held aloft on wiry stems, perfect for adding visual texture and contrast. Even better? It's fragrant! Not too sweet, but spicy in that classic Clove Pink kind of way. Key Features Bright magenta-red single blooms with darker eye Fragrant, spicy-sweet Clove scent Low-growing, evergreen, mounded form Long bloom period with potential rebloom Drought tolerant and deer resistant Great for pollinators and xeric landscaping Hardy in USDA zones 3–9 Landscaping Uses This compact, 6–8 inch tall perennial adds a dazzling splash of magenta in small spaces and tough conditions. Symbolically, Dianthus represents admiration and affection—perfect for planting where it'll be adored. This cultivar is deer-resistant, pollinator-friendly, and fits snugly in the Carnation family alongside other Garden Pinks and Sweet William. Front of sunny borders or along pathways Rock Gardens or alpine settings Groundcover for slopes, retaining walls, or edging Containers and trough gardens Hell-strips or roadside plantings Charming touch in a Cottage Garden design Mass plantings on steep slopes or in sunny flower beds Care and Maintenance This is a hardy, evergreen herbaceous perennial with a tough-as-nails attitude once established. Hailing from European alpine and rocky meadow origins, Dianthus gratianopolitanus is a cold-hardy and heat-tolerant groundcover for USDA zones 3–9. It thrives in dry, well-drained soils, making it ideal for rock gardens, slopes, borders, and hell strips. Planting Time: Early spring to fall. Find Planting and Care Info Here! Sun Needs: Full sun (6+ hours) Soil Needs: Well-drained, gritty or loamy soil; dislikes wet feet; tolerates poor and rocky soils Moisture Needs: Moderate to dry; drought tolerant once established Mulch: Apply a 3–4 inch deep layer of arborist mulch around (not on) the crown to conserve moisture and suppress weeds Fertilization Needs: Light feeder; one spring application of balanced fertilizer or compost is sufficient Pruning Info: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage rebloom Renewal Pruning: Not needed Special Perks/Growing Tips: Avoid heavy clay or standing water Amend with grit or sand for drainage Great in raised beds or slopes Rabbit and deer-resistant Division Info: Divide clumps every 3-5 years in early spring or after blooming to maintain vigor Star of the Sunny Show Let STAR SINGLE™ Eastern Star Dianthus shine its way into your sunny garden spaces. With fiery flowers, a spicy perfume, and a tidy form, this little perennial punches above its weight in both beauty and toughness. Use it wherever you want a bit of floral flair without the fuss. Buy now and Nature Hills will ship at the appropriate planting time for your growing zone. Show more