Dianthus 'Paint Town Fancy'

Dianthus 'Paint Town Fancy': Brushstrokes of Magenta in Motion

Vivid and whimsical, Dianthus 'Paint Town Fancy' brings an artistic flair to the garden with its electric magenta blooms floating above a deep mound of silvery-blue foliage. The flowers are finely fringed, saturated with colour, and lightly scented with a clove-like fragrance that attracts pollinators. Blooming profusely in late spring and often again in cooler autumn weather, this compact perennial offers long-lasting brilliance for borders, containers, and rock gardens. With its playful hue and tidy form, it paints a bold, joyful statement in any sunny space.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 15–20 cm
• Spread: 25–30 cm, forming a compact, rounded mound
• Flower Colour: Bright magenta; single blooms with finely fringed petals
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer, with possible rebloom in fall
• Foliage: Silvery-blue, narrow evergreen leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil; thrives in dry, lean conditions

Uses and Benefits: Dianthus 'Paint Town Fancy' is ideal for edging, containers, and rock garden placements, where its vibrant blooms and compact habit can be admired up close. The evergreen foliage provides structure and colour even when not in bloom, while the spicy fragrance adds sensory interest. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it is especially well-suited for sunny sites and water-wise landscapes. Its compact size makes it perfect for small gardens or tight planting spaces.

Companion Plants: Pair Dianthus 'Paint Town Fancy' with Sedum 'Tricolour', whose green, pink, and white variegated foliage offers a playful foil to the dianthus’s bold flowers. Add Festuca 'Elijah Blue' to introduce fine, cool-toned texture that complements the foliage while enhancing visual balance. Complete the trio with Thymus 'Coccineus', a creeping thyme with magenta-pink flowers that echo the dianthus blooms and form a fragrant, pollinator-friendly carpet at its feet.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with sharply drained soil. Avoid wet or heavy conditions, especially in winter. Deadhead spent blooms to promote reblooming and maintain a tidy appearance. Shear lightly after the main flush of flowers to refresh the foliage. Divide every 2–3 years in early spring or autumn to sustain vigour and bloom quality.

History: Dianthus 'Paint Town Fancy' is part of the Paint Town™ series by Proven Winners, a modern collection of compact dianthus bred for vivid colour, fragrance, and extended flowering. Its lineage traces back to species like Dianthus gratianopolitanus and Dianthus plumarius, long celebrated for their tolerance of lean soils, evergreen form, and spicy scent. This cultivar brings a contemporary colour palette to a time-honoured garden favourite.

Final Thoughts: Lively and expressive, Dianthus 'Paint Town Fancy' is a bold stroke of magenta in the sunny garden. Combined with the playful foliage of Sedum 'Tricolour', the cool grace of Festuca 'Elijah Blue', and the aromatic groundcover of Thymus 'Coccineus', it creates a cheerful, low-maintenance planting full of colour, texture, and seasonal energy. A true showpiece for modern borders and classic rockeries alike.