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Dianthus × 'Sugar Plum' (Sugar Plum Dianthus)
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Perennials

Dianthus 'Sugar Plum'

Sugar Plum Dianthus

Caryophyllaceae
Garden hybrid of complex {Dianthus} parentage

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitMounding
FoliageEvergreen
Height6-10 inches (15-25 cm)
Width10-14 inches (25-35 cm)
Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantFragrant (moderate)Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Dianthus × 'Sugar Plum' is a hybrid garden pink that grows 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) tall and 10–14 inches (25–35 cm) wide. Semi-double to double flowers 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across in soft plum-lavender to mauve-pink with a darker plum central eye and fringed petals appear in two flushes: May–June and September–October. The plum-lavender tone is cooler and more purple-toned than most dianthus, which skew toward warm pinks and reds. This cooler palette coordinates with lavender, silver, and blue companions that would clash with hot-pink cultivars. A moderate sweet-spicy fragrance accompanies the bloom. Narrow blue-green grass-like evergreen foliage forms a compact mound. The cultivar name references the confectionery sugar-coated plum, describing the soft, dusted quality of the flower color. Lean, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil is essential for longevity. Shearing after the first bloom promotes fall reblooming. In rich or wet conditions, the plant declines. Deer avoid the aromatic foliage.

Native Range

Dianthus × 'Sugar Plum' is a garden hybrid of complex European Dianthus parentage.

Suggested Uses

Used at the front of borders, in rock gardens, and in containers of 1 gallon (3.8 liters) or more. The cool plum-lavender tone suits plantings with lavender, silver, and blue themes. The fragrance adds sensory value near seating areas.

How to Identify

Identified by soft plum-lavender to mauve-pink double flowers with a darker plum eye and fringed petals on a compact blue-green foliage mound. The cool plum-lavender tone distinguishes this from the warmer pinks, reds, and corals of most dianthus cultivars. The darker plum eye against the lighter lavender ground creates a soft bicolor effect.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 10"
Width/Spread10" - 1'2"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

plum
lavender
mauve
pink

Foliage Colors

blue green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks
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SpringSummerFall
First flush in May–June. Second flush in September–October after midsummer shearing. Total display approximately 8 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Soft plum-lavender to mauve-pink with a darker plum eye

Foliage Description

Blue-green, narrow, grass-like

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)
357912
Soil Types
sandloam
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Lean, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Do not fertilize heavily. Water sparingly. Shear after the first bloom for fall rebloom.

Pruning

Shear the entire plant by one-third after the spring bloom.

Pruning Schedule

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summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic