Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Cute as a Button Dianthus: A Clove-Scented Edge for Lavender
Save
Cute as a Button dianthus lives up to its name. It forms a low mound of grassy blue-green leaves only 6 to 8 inches tall, and in June it nearly disappears under semi-double bright pink flowers, each with toothed edges and a deep red eye. The flowers carry the light, sweet clove scent garden pinks are known for.
Cute as a Button at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' |
| Flowers | Semi-double bright pink with a deep red eye, about 1 inch across |
| Foliage | Blue-green, narrow and semi-evergreen |
| Size | 6 to 8 inches tall, about 14 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June, reblooms in early fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Fragrance | Moderate, sweet and spicy clove |
A front-row seat by the lavender
Lavender beds often look a little bare at ground level, where the woody bases show. A row of Cute as a Button fixes that. Its blue-green foliage picks up the gray tones of lavender leaves, and the pink and red flowers add a punch of warm color right at the front. Because it stays so low, it never shades or crowds the lavender crowns.
The timing is good too. It flowers in early to mid-June, often just before the main lavender bloom, then returns in early fall after the lavender is cut. In between, the semi-evergreen mound stays neat. Try the spacing in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care that keeps it tidy
- Soil: average to lean and sharply drained. Wet, heavy soil, especially in winter, is its biggest enemy.
- Water: water at the base during establishment, then let the soil dry between drinks. Skip overhead sprinklers.
- Shearing: after the June flush, trim the spent flower stems back to the foliage for a fall encore.
- Air flow: it handles humid summers better than older pinks, but still wants room to breathe.
- Winter: reliably hardy in Michigan in sharply drained soil. Never pile mulch over the crown, and tidy winter-damaged leaves in spring.
It was selected to resist the center die-out that makes many older dianthus look hollow after a few summers.
Small bouquets and containers
The short stems suit tiny bouquets and posies, and a few stems tucked in with fresh lavender make a sweet-smelling bedside jar. In containers and rock gardens it stays compact and tidy. It is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray, enough for a long edging. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the flowers look lighter later on?
Flowers open bright pink and mature to a medium pink, so you will see a mix of shades on the plant.
Does it stop blooming in midsummer heat?
Flowering slows in the hottest weeks and picks up again as nights cool.
Do deer eat it?
It is moderately deer resistant. Deer may sample it, but they usually prefer other plants.
Share how it went in your field