Dianthus Fruit Punch® 'Classic Coral'

Dianthus Fruit Punch® 'Classic Coral': Coral Doubles Unbothered by Road Salt

'Classic Coral' is the friend who wears the same perfect outfit to every event and never once looks dated. Fully double, coral-pink flowers like tiny carnations on a tidy blue-green mound. TIMELESS, FRAGRANT AND NOT TAKING NOTES FROM TRENDS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Dianthus hybrid
• Common Name: Pinks
• Series: Fruit Punch®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)
• Spread: 30–36 cm (12–14 in)
• Flowers: Fully double, coral pink, carnation-like and fragrant
• Bloom Time: Early summer, with rebloom into late summer after shearing (June to September)
• Foliage: Blue-green, needle-like leaves in a tight, compact, evergreen mound
• Features: Fragrant, heat and salt tolerant, good for cutting

Where to Plant: Use it along a sunny walkway, at the front of a border, in a rock garden or in containers, ideally where you walk by often so you catch the scent. Its salt tolerance makes it a good pick for curbside and driveway beds.

Companion Plants: Use 'Classic Coral' in a sunny, dry bed with purple in spring and hot pink in summer. Aubrieta 'Rock On Purple' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with purple flowers from April to June. Sedum kamtschaticum 'Variegatum' adds cream-edged leaves and orange-yellow stars at 15 to 20 cm. Echinacea SunMagic® Vintage Lipstick brings hot pink coneflowers at 45 to 60 cm from July to September. Pennisetum 'Moudry' arches behind at 75 to 90 cm with dark, almost black plumes.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun, in average, well-drained soil that's neutral to slightly alkaline. Drainage is the key. Wet winter soil is what usually kills pinks, so lighten heavy clay with grit or plant on a slight mound. Water regularly the first season, then only in long dry spells. Shear the plant back after the first flush of flowers to tidy it and bring on more blooms. Leave the evergreen foliage over winter and tidy it in spring. Divide every few years if the centre opens up.

History: 'Classic Coral' was bred by Hans Hansen in Zeeland, Michigan, the home of Walters Gardens, from a 2012 cross between Dianthus 'Double North' and 'Lillipot'. It was selected in 2013 for its double coral flowers and compact habit.

Final Thoughts: Pin one to your lapel and plant the rest along the walk. THE PROM CALLED. IT WANTS ITS CORSAGE BACK.