Passion Dianthus
Passion Dianthus
Deep Crimson-Red Blooms With Rich Clove Fragrance
Passion Dianthus (Dianthus 'Passion') smolders with deep, velvety crimson-red flowers and a strong, sweet clove scent, over 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 dramatic, fragrant front-of-border favorite for sunny beds and rock gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Passion Dianthus Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Dianthus 'Passion' |
| 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 | Deep crimson-red, strongly 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 deep crimson and neat cushion make 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, silver foliage, 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 Passion 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 Passion 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: How fragrant is it?
Strongly — Passion carries a rich, sweet clove scent that's noticeable on warm days.
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
Fire Star Improved Dianthus (Dianthus): A vivid scarlet with a dark eye.
Sedum (Hylotelephium): A drought-tough, deer-resistant partner.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes that contrast the crimson blooms.
How Many Passion Dianthus Do I Need?
Spaced about 11 inches apart, plan on roughly:
| Bed Run | Plants Needed |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 5 plants |
| 10 ft | 11 plants |
| 15 ft | 16 plants |
| 20 ft | 22 plants |
Edge in clusters of 3–5, about 10–12 inches apart, for a tidy ribbon.
Passion Dianthus Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Blue-green cushion greens up early and stays neat.
- Summer: Deep crimson-red clove-scented flowers cover the mound in late spring and rebloom with shearing.
- Fall: Cooler weather brings a second flush; shear spent blooms to keep it going.
- Winter: Semi-evergreen foliage holds its blue-green tones under snow.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Fire Star Improved Dianthus — a vivid scarlet with a dark eye from the same family.
- Mad Magenta Dianthus — a bold magenta pink for a color run.
- Firewitch Dianthus — silvery foliage and magenta clove-scented blooms.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — a drought-tough, deer-resistant partner for sharp drainage.
Is Passion Dianthus Right for Your Yard?
Passion shines at the front of a sunny, sharply drained bed or rock garden, where its scent carries and deer leave it alone. Not a fit in wet, heavy clay or low spots that hold winter water — soggy crowns are its main enemy.