Dianthus 'Cranberry Cocktail'

Dianthus 'Cranberry Cocktail': A Toast to Colour and Fragrance

Bright as a freshly poured drink at sunset, Dianthus 'Cranberry Cocktail' bursts into bloom with double, cranberry-red flowers fringed like lace and scented with a sweet, spicy perfume. Set against a backdrop of silvery-blue foliage, the blooms rise in clusters, inviting pollinators and admiration alike. Blooming in late spring and often again with the return of cool autumn temperatures, this compact, low-growing perennial is a charming addition to borders, pathways, and containers that deserve a celebratory touch.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–25 cm
• Spread: 25–30 cm, forming a dense, rounded cushion
• Flower Colour: Rich cranberry-red; fully double blooms with finely fringed edges
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer, with possible fall rebloom
• Foliage: Silvery-blue, narrow evergreen leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil; prefers lean, dry conditions and resents winter wet

Uses and Benefits: Dianthus 'Cranberry Cocktail' brings bold colour and nostalgic fragrance to the forefront of garden design. Its low profile makes it ideal for edging beds, tucking into rock gardens, or massing in containers for high-impact seasonal displays. The evergreen foliage maintains visual interest year-round, while the blooms attract pollinators and offer long-lasting charm in sun-filled, low-water settings.

Companion Plants: Pair Dianthus 'Cranberry Cocktail' with Sedum 'Dragon's Blood', whose deep burgundy foliage and crimson summer blooms amplify the intensity of the dianthus while providing a spreading, drought-tolerant base. Add Festuca 'Elijah Blue' to introduce upright, icy-toned foliage that echoes the dianthus’s silvery leaves and cools the overall palette. Complete the design with Thymus 'Coccineus', a mat-forming thyme whose magenta-pink flowers and aromatic foliage soften the planting and support pollinators.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with sharply drained soil. Avoid overly moist or rich conditions, especially in winter. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming and maintain a neat appearance. Shear lightly after flowering to refresh foliage. Divide every 2–3 years in early spring or autumn to reinvigorate the plant and promote vigorous growth.

History: Dianthus 'Cranberry Cocktail' is part of the Fruit Punch® series by Proven Winners, a group of compact, reblooming cultivars bred for their vibrant colours, fragrance, and durable form. Like others in the series, it draws on the lineage of Dianthus plumarius and Dianthus gratianopolitanus, species known for their resilience, evergreen foliage, and spicy-scented blooms. This modern variety adds a bold new flavour to a time-honoured favourite.

Final Thoughts: Rich, fragrant, and cheerfully compact, Dianthus 'Cranberry Cocktail' brings a festive spirit to any sunny garden space. When planted alongside the smouldering tones of Sedum 'Dragon's Blood', the cool poise of Festuca 'Elijah Blue', and the soft sprawl of Thymus 'Coccineus', it creates a harmonious blend of texture, scent, and colour. A toasting-worthy perennial for gardens that celebrate both beauty and ease.