Fire and Ice Dianthus

Where to Plant

• Sunlight: Fire and Ice Dianthus performs best in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct light daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, too much shade results in floppy stems and fewer of those iconic high contrast blooms.
• Soil: These plants demand excellent drainage and prefer a slightly alkaline to neutral pH. If you have heavy clay, plant them in a raised bed or incorporate organic compost to ensure the roots do not sit in water, which can lead to crown rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water twice a week to help the roots establish deep into the soil. Once mature, this variety is quite drought tolerant, but providing a deep soak during extended dry spells prevents the foliage from browning at the tips. Inconsistent watering often leads to a smaller second flush of flowers later in the summer.

Pruning Tips

Dianthus blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is immediately after the first heavy wave of flowering in early summer. Use garden shears to "haircut" the entire plant by about one third, which removes spent blossoms and encourages the plant to produce a fresh mound of blue green foliage and a potential repeat bloom. This prevents the center of the plant from becoming woody or splitting open over time.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges to fuel the intense flower production. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this forces tender new growth that cannot harden off before the first frost. Stick to a general purpose formula to keep the stems sturdy rather than long and weak.