Maiden Pink is a charming evergreen perennial that blankets the ground with delicate, heavily fringed flowers from May through July. This Dianthus deltoides cultivar forms spreading mats of narrow foliage reaching 6-12 inches tall and up to 24 inches wide, making it exceptional for ground cover and rock gardens. Hardy in zones 3-8, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and minimal maintenance, while its drought tolerance and deer resistance make it reliable in challenging spots. The slightly fragrant, single flowers appear on branched stems and attract butterflies throughout its long bloom season.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-8
12in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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Maiden Pink's biggest strength is its ability to flower prolifically over three months with virtually no fussing. The narrow, linear foliage stays evergreen year-round, providing structure even when blooms fade, while the slightly fragrant flowers draw butterflies into the garden. It handles drought well and resists deer, making it tough enough for dry banks and borders yet delicate enough to soften hard edges with color and texture.
Maiden Pink excels as a ground cover, spreading to fill gaps between stones or along borders. Its low, mounded habit and extended bloom period make it valuable for rock gardens, alpine troughs, and the front edges of perennial beds where it won't shade out nearby plants.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Shear Maiden Pink after flowering concludes but before seeds develop to encourage vigor and neaten the planting. For larger swaths, this approach is far more practical than deadheading individual flowers. Some gardeners find it worthwhile to remove spent flowers during bloom to extend flowering, though this requires patience with such prolific blooms.
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