Fruit Punch® ‘Maraschino’ Dianthus

Bold Color, Fruity Fragrance, and Evergreen Foliage

As the name suggests, the Fruit Punch® ‘Maraschino’ Dianthus brings fruity beauty (and fragrance!) to any space. Sometimes called Pinks, this perennial also boasts a longer blooming season than many other Dianthus varieties.

The Pinks’ deep red blooms are hard to miss, bursting forth atop spikey, silvery-blue foliage. Its vibrant double flowers feature fringed petals and a delicate fragrance reminiscent of the Maraschino cherry.  

Whether you’re planting Pinks to add a pop of color against monochrome landscaping or to add depth to a mosaic of garden hues, you’ll love the adaptability of this Dianthus. Pinks can be arranged as a border plant for footpaths or larger planting areas. They also thrive in containers or when planted in bulk. Regardless of where you place these stunning blossoms, you can expect robust flowers that are aromatic and quite tolerant of heat and humidity. 

Though their color and versatility are a welcome addition in almost any outdoor space, Pinks are often incorporated into rock gardens and landscapes created with the cottage or eclectic style.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Fruit Punch® ‘Maraschino’ Dianthus can be grown in full sun or partial shade. When planting, dig a hole 2 times as wide and exactly as deep as the root ball. Place your Dianthus into the hole and backfill the dirt.

2. Watering: The flowers are tolerant of heat and humidity. Be advised, however, that these plants will not be as lush and their blooms will not be as plentiful when grown in hot, dry conditions. 

Water weekly, or check the surrounding soil. When the soil is dry about 3 inches down, it’s time to water. If your Dianthus is container-planted, water until you see it flowing from the drainage holes at the bottom.

3. Pruning: In the fall, clean up your Dianthus by removing loose or fallen leaves and blooms from its base. Then, add a layer of mulch to protect its evergreen foliage. When the weather begins to warm the following season, remove mulch from the base of your Dianthus to prevent crown rot.