Dianthus gratianopolitanus
Common name: Cheddar pink · Cliff pink
Dianthus gratianopolitanus is a low, mat-forming evergreen perennial in the pink family, native to western and central Europe from England's Cheddar Gorge to the mountains of France and Poland. It spreads into tight cushions of narrow blue-grey leaves and in late spring lifts fragrant, fringed pink flowers on short stems just above the foliage. It is a classic rock garden, wall, and edging plant, valued for its silver-blue mats, clove scent, and tolerance of lean, limy, sharply drained ground.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun; flowering and compact growth suffer in shade
Water
Water sparingly; let soil dry between waterings and never sit wet
Soil
Gritty, sharply drained, neutral to alkaline, low-humus mix
Hardiness
Zones 4–8
Mature height
15–30 cm (6–12 in)
Pet safe
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA; may cause GI upset and dermatitis
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
By seed, basal cuttings in summer, or division of mats in spring
Fun facts
- The common name comes from Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, England, where it grows wild on limestone cliffs; the epithet gratianopolitanus actually refers to Grenoble, France (Roman Gratianopolis).
- The flowers carry the classic clove-like scent of pinks, strongest on warm, sunny days.
- The cultivar 'Firewitch' (Feuerhexe) was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2006 and is one of the most widely grown dianthus in gardens.
- Its blue-grey foliage stays evergreen through winter, giving the mats year-round presence in rock gardens and dry stone walls.