Dianthus Pretty Poppers® 'Goody Gumdrops'

Dianthus Pretty Poppers® 'Goody Gumdrops': Fuchsia Candy That Spreads Out Low

'Goody Gumdrops' looks like it raided the candy aisle and spread the loot across the garden. Fuchsia flowers with a deep red eye cover a low, spreading mat, smelling spicy enough to keep the sugar rush honest. NO CAVITIES. ALL TREATS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Dianthus hybrid
• Common Name: Pinks
• Series: Pretty Poppers®, from Walters Gardens
• Height: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)
• Spread: 41–46 cm (16–18 in)
• Flowers: Semi-double, fuchsia pink flowers with a deep red eye and a spicy fragrance
• Bloom Time: Early summer, with rebloom into early fall (June to September)
• Foliage: Blue-green, evergreen, forming a low, spreading mat
• Features: Fragrant flowers and foliage, salt tolerant

Where to Plant: Its wide habit makes it a good small-scale groundcover for a sunny slope, a rock garden or the front of a border. It also spills nicely over the edge of a container or a low wall. Thanks to its salt tolerance, it's a reliable choice along walkways and driveways that see winter salt.

Companion Plants: Use 'Goody Gumdrops' at the front of a sunny, dry bed with purple globes in spring and coral in summer. Allium 'Ambassador' opens giant purple globes at 90 to 120 cm in May and June. Sedum sieboldii adds blue-grey scalloped leaves and pink flowers at 15 to 23 cm in September and October. Echinacea 'Coral Craze' brings coral coneflowers at 65 to 70 cm from July to September. Imperata 'Red Baron' adds upright blades that turn blood red, at 45 to 50 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun, in average, well-drained soil that is neutral to alkaline. Wet winter soil is the usual cause of trouble, so mix grit into heavy clay or plant on a gentle mound. Water regularly through the first season, then only in prolonged dry weather. Shear off spent flowers after the first flush to tidy the mat and encourage rebloom. Leave the foliage over winter and clean up in spring. Divide every few years if the middle starts to thin.

History: 'Goody Gumdrops' was bred by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, from a 2012 cross between Dianthus 'Devon Esther' and 'Devon PP'. It was selected as a seedling in 2014 for its wide, low habit and red-eyed flowers.

Final Thoughts: Let it spill along the front of a sunny bed and dare anybody to walk by without grinning. THE SWEET TOOTH HAS BEEN SATISFIED.