{"product_id":"early-bird-chili-dianthus","title":"Early Bird Chili Dianthus","description":"\u003ch1\u003eOne of the Earliest, Longest-Blooming Pinks\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly Bird Chili Dianthus (\u003cem\u003eDianthus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Early Bird Chili') is prized for blooming earlier and longer than most pinks — spicy red-and-pink, clove-scented flowers cover its blue-green foliage from late spring into fall. Tough, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, with semi-evergreen foliage, it delivers an exceptionally long season of warm color. A reliable, fragrant front-of-border favorite for sunny beds and rock gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEarly Bird Chili Dianthus Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDianthus 'Early Bird Chili'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 in. tall, 10–14 in. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate spring through fall — early and exceptionally long\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpicy red-and-pink, clove-scented\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained; dislikes wet, heavy soil — add grit to clay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to about -25°F; semi-evergreen foliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed by deer or rabbits\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLong-season edging and rock gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its early, extended bloom makes it a workhorse at the front of the border. Space 10–12 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator and deer-resistant beds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Butterflies visit the fragrant blooms, and deer leave it alone. Pair with catmint, salvia, and sedum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. Sharp drainage is essential — avoid wet, heavy soil, especially over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Early Bird Chili Dianthus\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Early Bird Chili Dianthus\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells. Overwatering and wet soil are its main enemies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How early and long does it bloom?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt's one of the earliest pinks to flower and keeps going into fall, especially with occasional deadheading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — hardy to about zone 4 with sharp drainage; plant where water doesn't pool over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — deer and rabbits rarely bother dianthus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it fragrant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the flowers carry the classic sweet, spicy clove scent of pinks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKahori Scarlet Dianthus (Dianthus):\u003c\/strong\u003e Another exceptionally long-blooming pink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSedum (Hylotelephium):\u003c\/strong\u003e A drought-tough, deer-resistant partner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatmint (Nepeta):\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue spikes that contrast the red-and-pink blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315456594225,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/early-bird-chili-dianthus.jpg?v=1779747473","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/early-bird-chili-dianthus","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}