Dianthus 'Pretty Poppers Double Bubble'

Dianthus 'Pretty Poppers Double Bubble': A Pop of Pink with Sweet Surprise

Playful and poised, Dianthus 'Pretty Poppers™ Double Bubble' adds a candy-bright burst of double pink blooms to the sunlit garden. Each ruffled flower is a soft bubblegum pink with layers of finely fringed petals, exuding a spicy-sweet fragrance reminiscent of clove and nostalgia. Resting above a tidy cushion of silvery-blue foliage, the blooms appear in late spring and often return again in early autumn, inviting pollinators and passersby alike. Cheerful and compact, this perennial lives up to its name—full of pop and personality.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 15–20 cm
• Spread: 20–30 cm, forming a dense, mounded cushion
• Flower Colour: Soft bubblegum pink; fully double, fringed blooms
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer, with potential for fall rebloom
• Foliage: Silvery-blue, narrow evergreen leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil; thrives in dry, lean soils and resents winter wet

Uses and Benefits: Dianthus 'Pretty Poppers Double Bubble' is perfect for edging, rock gardens, containers, and pathways, where its soft colour and fragrant blooms can be appreciated up close. Its evergreen foliage adds year-round texture, while the flowers bring pollinator activity and a sense of whimsy to the planting. With excellent drought tolerance and low maintenance needs, it’s ideal for small gardens, water-wise landscapes, and sunny cottage borders.

Companion Plants: Pair Dianthus 'Double Bubble' with Sedum 'Tricolour', whose variegated green, pink, and white foliage plays beautifully with the dianthus blooms while forming a low, spreading groundcover. Add Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' to deepen the colour story with dusky purple foliage that provides contrast and year-round interest. Finish with Carex 'Ice Dance', whose arching green and white variegated blades soften the composition and add elegant movement through the seasons.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with sharply drained soil. Avoid wet or overly rich sites, especially in winter. Deadhead spent blooms to promote rebloom and maintain a tidy appearance. Lightly shear after the main flush of flowering to refresh the foliage. Divide every 2–3 years in spring or fall to rejuvenate and maintain a compact form.

History: Dianthus 'Pretty Poppers™ Double Bubble' is part of the Pretty Poppers™ series by Proven Winners, a new collection bred for compact habit, vibrant colour, and abundant blooms. It inherits its resilience, fragrance, and evergreen charm from species like Dianthus plumarius and Dianthus gratianopolitanus, favourites in gardens for centuries. This modern cultivar adds a playful pastel twist to a long-standing perennial tradition.

Final Thoughts: Sweet, soft, and bursting with charm, Dianthus 'Double Bubble' delivers colour, fragrance, and texture in a tidy, carefree package. When paired with the cheerful foliage of Sedum 'Tricolour', the moody richness of Heuchera 'Plum Pudding', and the graceful flow of Carex 'Ice Dance', it creates a harmonious garden vignette full of contrast and continuity. A delightful perennial pop for gardens that value beauty and playfulness in equal measure.