Goody Gumdrops Dianthus
Goody Gumdrops Dianthus
Fragrant Bubblegum-Pink Blooms on a Tidy Cushion
Goody Gumdrops Dianthus (Dianthus 'Goody Gumdrops') is pure cheerful charm — bright bubblegum-pink, clove-scented flowers covering a compact cushion 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 fragrant, fun front-of-border favorite for sunny beds and rock gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Goody Gumdrops Dianthus Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Dianthus 'Goody Gumdrops' |
| 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 | Bright bubblegum-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 neat cushion makes a tidy 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 Goody Gumdrops 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 Goody Gumdrops 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
Electric Red Dianthus (Dianthus): A bold red with the same easy, fragrant nature.
Sedum (Hylotelephium): A drought-tough, deer-resistant partner.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes that contrast the pink blooms.
How Many Goody Gumdrops Dianthus Do I Need?
For a fragrant edging or rock-garden ribbon, space plants about 11 inches apart (each cushion matures 10–12 inches wide):
| Edge / Run Length | Plants Needed (~11 in apart) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 11 |
| 20 ft | 22 |
| 30 ft | 33 |
| 40 ft | 44 |
Or set in clusters of 3–5 at the border front for pools of clove-scented pink.
Goody Gumdrops Dianthus Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Blue-green cushion is already up; heavy flush of bubblegum-pink, clove-scented blooms in late spring.
- Summer: Reblooms through summer when sheared after the first flush; butterflies work the fragrant flowers.
- Fall: Tidy mound holds; light rebloom possible into early fall.
- Winter: Semi-evergreen blue-green foliage persists; hardy to about -25°F with sharp drainage.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Firewitch Dianthus — magenta-pink pinks extend the fragrant clove display.
- Electric Red Dianthus — a bold red that pairs vividly with the bubblegum pink.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — drought- and deer-tough partner that carries the bed into fall.
- Bloodstone Sea Thrift — matching grassy cushion with rosy globes for the rock garden.
Is Goody Gumdrops Dianthus Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun with sharp, well-drained soil — a sunny edge, rock garden, or gritty border front — and laughs off heat, drought, and deer. Not a fit if your soil is heavy, wet clay, especially over winter, where pooling water rots the crown; add grit or mound-plant to fix it.