Peman Red Dianthus
Peman Red Dianthus
Fragrant Rich Red Blooms on a Tidy Cushion
Peman Red Dianthus (Dianthus 'Peman Red') tops a compact cushion of blue-green foliage with deep, clove-scented red flowers. Blooming 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.
Peman Red Dianthus Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Dianthus 'Peman 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 | Rich 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 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 Peman 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 Peman 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
Peman Fancy Cerise Dianthus (Dianthus): A deep cerise-pink from the same series.
Sedum (Hylotelephium): A drought-tough, deer-resistant partner.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes that contrast the red blooms.
How Many Peman Red Dianthus Do I Need?
Set plants about 11 inches apart for a continuous fragrant ribbon along an edge or in a rock garden. Use this guide for quick coverage:
| Edge / Run Length | Plants Needed (11 in. spacing) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 5 |
| 10 ft | 11 |
| 15 ft | 16 |
| 20 ft | 22 |
In a bed, plant in clusters of 3–5 about 11 inches apart for a full cushion the first season.
Peman Red Dianthus Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Clove-scented deep red flowers open over the blue-green cushion in late spring.
- Summer: Shear off spent blooms after the first flush and it reblooms through summer.
- Fall: The tidy blue-green mat carries on as flowering winds down.
- Winter: Semi-evergreen foliage persists under snow for cool off-season color.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Peman Fancy Cerise Dianthus — vivid cerise-pink from the same series for a fragrant color run.
- Peman Violet Dianthus — jewel-toned violet that cools the red down.
- Firewitch Dianthus — ultra-hardy magenta that loves the same lean, sharp-drained soil.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — a drought-tough, deer-resistant partner for late-season structure.
Is Peman Red Dianthus Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun and lean, sharp-draining or gritty soil, and it shrugs off deer and rabbits — ideal for sunny edges, rock gardens, and the front of a border. It is not a fit if your soil stays wet and heavy, especially over winter, when the crown is prone to rot; amend clay with grit or choose a raised, well-drained spot.