{"product_id":"neon-star-improved-dianthus","title":"Neon Star Improved Dianthus","description":"\u003ch1\u003eElectric Magenta-Pink Blooms on a Tidy Cushion\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeon Star Improved Dianthus (\u003cem\u003eDianthus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Neon Star Improved') blazes with electric magenta-pink, clove-scented flowers over a dense cushion of blue-green foliage. An improved selection of a garden favorite, it blooms heavily in late spring and reblooms through summer. Tough, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant with semi-evergreen foliage, it's a knockout, fragrant front-of-border choice for sunny beds and rock gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNeon Star Improved 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 'Neon Star Improved'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 in. tall, 10–12 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, reblooming through summer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eElectric magenta-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\u003eFragrant edging and rock gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e The vivid color and neat cushion make a standout front-of-border edge. 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 Neon Star Improved 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 Neon Star Improved 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: 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 fragrant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the flowers carry the classic sweet, spicy clove scent of pinks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How do I keep it blooming?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShear off spent flowers after the first flush to encourage rebloom through summer.\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\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMad Magenta Dianthus (Dianthus):\u003c\/strong\u003e Another bold magenta with the same easy care.\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 magenta blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315457577265,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/neon-star-improved-dianthus.jpg?v=1779747489","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/neon-star-improved-dianthus","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}