Electric Red Dianthus
Electric Red Dianthus
Vivid Fragrant Red Blooms on a Tidy Cushion
Electric Red Dianthus (Dianthus 'Electric Red') jolts the border with intensely saturated red, clove-scented flowers over a compact mound of blue-green foliage. Blooming heavily in late spring and reblooming through summer, it's tough, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, with semi-evergreen foliage. A bold, fragrant front-of-border favorite for sunny beds and rock gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Electric Red Dianthus Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Dianthus 'Electric Red' |
| 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 | Vivid red, 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 bold red over blue-green foliage makes a striking front-of-border edge. Space 10–12 inches apart.
Pollinator and deer-resistant beds: Butterflies visit the fragrant blooms, and deer leave it alone. Pair with catmint, white sedum, and silver foliage.
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 Electric Red 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 Electric Red 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 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
Goody Gumdrops Dianthus (Dianthus): A bright bubblegum-pink with the same easy care.
Sedum (Hylotelephium): A drought-tough, deer-resistant partner.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes that contrast the bold red blooms.
How Many Electric Red Dianthus Do I Need?
This tidy cushion spreads 10–12 inches, so plant on 12-inch centers for a solid fragrant edge:
| Run / Area Length | Plants Needed (12 in apart) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft edge | 10 plants |
| 20 ft edge | 20 plants |
| 30 ft edge | 30 plants |
| 40 ft edge | 40 plants |
In rock gardens, set in clusters of 3–5 for pools of bold red.
Electric Red Dianthus Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: The blue-green cushion bursts into intensely saturated, clove-scented red flowers in late spring.
- Summer: Shear off the spent first flush and it reblooms through summer, drawing butterflies.
- Fall: Sporadic late blooms continue and the mounded foliage stays neat.
- Winter: The blue-green foliage is semi-evergreen, holding color into the cold with sharp drainage.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Firewitch Dianthus — magenta-pink pinks that bloom alongside for a fragrant carpet.
- Coral Reef Dianthus — soft coral tones to cool down the bold red.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — a drought-tough, deer-resistant partner with rosy fall heads.
- Bloodstone Sea Thrift — grassy tufts and rosy pom-poms for a sunny rock garden.
Is Electric Red Dianthus Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun with sharp drainage — the front of a border, a rock garden, or a gritty raised bed — and shrugs off drought and deer once established. Not a fit if the soil stays wet and heavy, especially over winter, where the crown is prone to rot.