Appleblossom Burst Dianthus
Appleblossom Burst Dianthus
Soft Double Apple-Blossom Pink Over Silver Foliage
Appleblossom Burst Dianthus (Dianthus 'Appleblossom Burst') crowns a neat mound of silvery blue-green foliage with fragrant, double, apple-blossom-pink flowers blushed deeper at the center. Blooming in late spring and reblooming through summer, it's tough, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, with semi-evergreen foliage. A soft, romantic front-of-border favorite for sunny beds and rock gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Appleblossom Burst Dianthus Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Dianthus 'Appleblossom Burst' |
| Mature Size | 6–10 in. tall, 10–12 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Bloom Time | Late spring, reblooming through summer |
| Flower Color | Double apple-blossom pink, clove-scented |
| Soil | Well-drained; dislikes wet, heavy soil — add grit to clay |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to about -25°F; semi-evergreen foliage |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Fragrant edging and rock gardens: The tidy silver mound makes a soft front-of-border edge and thrives in well-drained rock gardens. Space 10–12 inches apart.
Pollinator and deer-resistant beds: Butterflies visit the fragrant blooms, and deer leave it alone. Pair with catmint, salvia, and sedum.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. Sharp drainage is essential — avoid wet, heavy soil, especially over winter.
How to Plant Appleblossom Burst Dianthus
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth. Amend heavy clay with grit or coarse sand. Set the crown at or slightly above soil level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly with grit — keep mulch off the crown to prevent rot. Space 10–12 inches apart.
Watering Appleblossom Burst Dianthus
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells. Overwatering and wet soil are its main enemies.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to about zone 4 with sharp drainage; plant where water doesn't pool over winter.
Q: Is it fragrant?
Yes — the double flowers carry the classic sweet, spicy clove scent of pinks.
Q: How do I keep it blooming?
Shear off spent flowers after the first flush to encourage rebloom through summer.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer and rabbits rarely bother dianthus.
You May Also Like
Cute as a Button Dianthus (Dianthus): Little double pink-and-white blooms.
Sedum (Hylotelephium): A drought-tough, deer-resistant partner.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes that contrast the pink blooms.
How Many Appleblossom Burst Dianthus Do I Need?
Space plants 10–12 in. apart for a tidy silver edge or rock-garden carpet. Quick estimate by bed run:
| Bed Length | Plants Needed |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 10 plants |
| 20 ft | 20 plants |
| 30 ft | 30 plants |
| 40 ft | 40 plants |
For a fuller patch, plant in groups of 3–5, 10 in. apart.
Appleblossom Burst Dianthus Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Silvery blue-green mounds push out fragrant, double apple-blossom-pink flowers in late spring.
- Summer: Reblooms through summer if sheared after the first flush; the clove scent draws butterflies.
- Fall: Scattered late blooms continue as nights cool; the silver foliage stays neat.
- Winter: Semi-evergreen mounds persist under snow, holding their place at the front of the bed.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Pollinator-Friendly
Plant It With
- Cute as a Button Dianthus — little double pink-and-white blooms in the same fragrant family.
- Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower — golden daisies that rise behind the low silver mounds.
- Dark Matter Salvia — deep blue spikes that contrast the soft pink flowers.
- Little Bluestem — a native grass for airy, drought-tough backdrop.
Is Appleblossom Burst Dianthus Right for Your Yard?
It wants full sun (6+ hours) and sharp, well-drained soil — ideal for rock gardens, slopes, and curbside strips. Deer and rabbits pass it by. Not a fit for wet, heavy clay or low spots that stay soggy, especially over winter, where the crown rots.