Product Description
Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' PP31453 (30)ct Flat
PRETTY POPPERS® Series
Common Name: Pinks
'Cute as a Button' has semi-double, bright pink flowers have a deep red eye and serrated edges. Blue-green foliage.
Dianthus are among the best for providing color in late spring and early summer. The PRETTY POPPERS™ Series are semi-evergreen perennials and offer an abundance of red, pink, and white flowers; perfect for the front of the border.
In the carnation family, Dianthus cultivars deliver gorgeous single, semi-double, and fully double flowers. Singles tend to deliver more flowers while doubles are significantly larger, sometimes more than twice the size. Singles also tend to grow quicker and can appear like a carpet in the landscape at maturity.
Dianthus grow best in loose, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils. Lime can be added to the soil if it is naturally acidic to raise the pH. Dianthus can be grown in full sun or part shade, but the foliage will not be as lush and fewer flowers will be produced if it is grown in hot, dry areas. Regular watering during prolonged dry spells will be necessary. However, they are tolerant of short periods of dryness.
Do a thorough clean-up in the fall to prevent pest and disease problems and add a layer of mulch to protect the evergreen foliage. As soon as the weather begins to warm up, remove all of this mulch to prevent crown rot.
Height: 6.0-8.0 Inches
Spread: 14.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Pink shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Average Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer - Early Fall
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Evergreen
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Edging, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' is a delightful perennial that bursts into bloom with vibrant pink flowers, filling the air with a sweet perfume. As a member of the Pretty Poppers™ series, this captivating plant is a must-have for any garden, adding a touch of color and fragrance to borders, edgings, and containers.
Characteristics This cultivar is admired for its semi-double flowers, a unique characteristic that offers a balance between the abundance of blooms seen in single varieties and the larger size of double varieties. The bright pink flowers have a deep red eye and serrated edges, adding a delicate touch to their appearance. The blue-green foliage provides an attractive contrast to the vibrant blooms and remains evergreen in all but the coldest winters. The flowers are fragrant, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' typically reaches a height of 6-8 inches and spreads about 14 inches wide. It blooms from early summer to early fall, providing long-lasting color in the garden. Gardeners will appreciate that this variety is deer resistant, making it an excellent choice for areas with deer pressure.
Ideal Growing Conditions To ensure the healthy growth and abundant flowering of Dianthus 'Cute as a Button', it is essential to provide it with the ideal growing conditions.
- Soil Type Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' thrives in loose, well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline. If your soil is acidic, you can add lime to raise the pH. Amending the soil with compost can also improve drainage and provide essential nutrients.
- Sunlight Requirements While Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' can tolerate partial shade, it performs best in full sun, with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade may be beneficial to prevent the foliage from scorching.
- Watering Needs Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' prefers consistently moist soil but is tolerant of short periods of dryness. Water regularly during prolonged dry spells, ensuring the soil does not dry out completely. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
Care and Maintenance
- Pruning Deadheading spent blooms encourages repeat flowering and maintains a tidy appearance. In the fall, prune back the plant to about 1 to 2 inches of stem above the soil. This helps to protect the plant during the winter months and promotes vigorous growth in the spring.
- Fertilizing Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' is a light feeder and generally does not require heavy fertilization. If you choose to use a fertilizer, opt for a balanced, slow-release formula applied in early spring.
- Pest Control Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' is relatively pest-free. However, like other Dianthus varieties, it may be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, and thrips. Monitor the plants regularly and take appropriate measures if any infestations occur.
Design Ideas Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' is a versatile plant that can be incorporated into various garden designs. Its compact growth habit makes it an excellent choice for borders and edgings, where it can add a pop of color and define garden beds. It also thrives in containers, allowing you to bring its beauty to patios, balconies, and small spaces.
Consider planting Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' in butterfly gardens to attract these beneficial pollinators. The fragrant flowers and vibrant colors will create a welcoming habitat for butterflies.
This cultivar is also a great choice for cut flower arrangements. The long-lasting blooms and sweet fragrance will add a touch of elegance to bouquets and floral displays.
Propagation Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' can be propagated through cuttings. To propagate by cutting, follow these steps:
- Take a 2- to 3-inch cutting from an established mother plant that has bloomed for at least a full season. Cuttings should be taken in June or July after the plant has bloomed for the season.
- Combine potting soil with vermiculite in a small pot—the mixture should be moist but not damp or soggy.
- Dip the cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone.
- Plant the cutting into the potting soil, ensuring at least one node falls beneath the soil line.
- Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.
- Keep the soil moist—the cutting should take root within a month.
- Once you spot new leaf growth, you can transplant the cutting and care for it as usual.
Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' is a versatile and low-maintenance perennial that offers long-lasting color and fragrance in the garden. Its semi-double, bright pink flowers with a deep red eye bloom from early summer to early fall. This deer-resistant cultivar thrives in loose, well-drained soil and full sun. It can be used in borders, edgings, containers, butterfly gardens, and cut flower arrangements. With proper care, Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' will bring beauty and enjoyment to your garden for years to come.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
