Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Paint the Town Red Dianthus: Bold Red Mats Under Purple Spikes
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Paint the Town Red dianthus covers itself in small single flowers in a deep magenta red, with five toothed petals and no darker eye, just solid, saturated color. The mound is low but wide, about 6 to 8 inches tall and up to 18 inches across, so a few plants knit into a continuous ribbon fairly quickly.
If the other pinks in the series are polite, this one is the one that shows up to the party in red.
Paint the Town Red at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dianthus 'Paint the Town Red' |
| Flowers | 0.75 to 1 inch, deep magenta red, solid color |
| Fragrance | Lightly spicy |
| Foliage | Glaucous blue, semi-evergreen |
| Size | 6 to 8 inches tall, 16 to 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June, early fall rebloom after shearing |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
Red and purple, done right
Deep red at ground level with purple spikes above is a rich, jewel-toned combination, warmer than pink and less loud than orange. The blue foliage ties the two together, since it sits close to lavender's gray-green. Because the mound spreads wide, Paint the Town Red is a good choice when you want a solid edge along a long lavender row or a driveway bed rather than dotted accents.
Space plants close to their mature width and they will meet in a season or two without crowding the lavender crowns behind them. Try layouts in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- First season: water regularly until roots establish, then back off. It handles dry spells well once settled.
- Soil: average and well drained. Heavy, wet soil is the main risk, bringing crown and root rot.
- Airflow: it copes with humidity better than older pinks, but water at the base and avoid crowding.
- Shearing: trim lightly once the June flush fades to set up a second round in early fall.
- Spring cleanup: snip off any winter-damaged leaves.
Winter drainage
It is semi-evergreen and reliably hardy in Michigan, and like lavender it is lost far more often to wet feet than to cold. Keep mulch away from the crown and avoid low spots where snowmelt pools. If your lavender survives a spot, Paint the Town Red usually will too.
About the plug tray
The 72-cell plug tray is sized for edging long beds or planting a mass. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a true red?
It is a deep magenta red, a rich color that leans slightly toward berry rather than fire-engine red.
Do deer bother it?
It is moderately deer resistant, so damage is usually light.
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