Cute as a Button Dianthus
Cute as a Button Dianthus
Charming Little Double Blooms Over Silver Foliage
Cute as a Button Dianthus (Dianthus 'Cute as a Button') lives up to its name with masses of small, fragrant, double pink-and-white bicolor flowers over a neat cushion of silvery blue-green foliage. Blooming in late spring and reblooming through summer, it's tough, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, with semi-evergreen foliage. A sweet, fragrant front-of-border favorite for sunny beds and rock gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Cute as a Button Dianthus Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Dianthus 'Cute as a Button' |
| 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 pink-and-white bicolor, 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 cushion makes a charming 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 Cute as a Button 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 Cute as a Button 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 little 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
Appleblossom Burst Dianthus (Dianthus): A soft double pink with the same easy care.
Sedum (Hylotelephium): A drought-tough, deer-resistant partner.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes that contrast the pink blooms.
How Many Cute as a Button Dianthus Do I Need?
This little 10–12 in. cushion makes a charming fragrant edge. Space plants about 11 inches apart and cluster in 3–5 for a tidy ribbon of bloom.
| Edge / Bed Length | Plants Needed (11 in. spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 11 |
| 20 ft | 22 |
| 30 ft | 33 |
| 40 ft | 44 |
Cute as a Button Dianthus Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Silvery blue-green foliage greens early and erupts with masses of little double pink-and-white flowers in late spring.
- Summer: Shear after the first flush for fragrant rebloom; the cushion stays neat through the heat.
- Fall: Scattered late flowers continue as nights cool.
- Winter: Semi-evergreen silvery foliage persists under snow, holding the bed edge year-round.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Appleblossom Burst Dianthus — a soft double pink with the same easy, fragrant cushion habit.
- Coral Reef Dianthus — warm coral-pink pinks for a layered, clove-scented edge.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — a drought-tough, deer-resistant partner with rosy late-season heads.
- Bloodstone Sea Thrift — a grassy cushion that loves the same sharp-drained sun.
Is Cute as a Button Dianthus Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun and sharply drained soil — front edges, rock gardens, and slopes in deer-prone yards. Not a fit if the bed stays wet or heavy over winter; pooling water rots the crown, so add grit to clay or choose a drier spot.