Dianthus 'Fire Star' is a low growing perennial known for its vivid scarlet red flowers with fringed petals and darker centers. Its tidy habit and silvery blue evergreen foliage provide year round interest, making it both beautiful and practical for low maintenance garden designs.
Height & Spread: 6 - 10 in x 10 - 14 in
Bloom Time: Late spring, sporadic rebloom through summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil
Watering Needs: Low to moderate; prefers dry to average moisture
Deer Resistance: High
NATIVE STATUS
Hybrid cultivar developed from European species. Despite its non native origin it is well behaved, non invasive, and beneficial to pollinators.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
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Offers early and mid season nectar for native bees and honeybees with easy to access flowers.
Butterflies
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Attracts small butterflies looking for nectar sources in low growing sunny plantings.
Moths
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Fragrance and tubular shape draw in some day flying moths and smaller night pollinators.
SPACING & LANDSCAPE USE
Spacing Recommendations
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Plant 10 - 14 in apart for full coverage and airflow, especially in well drained soils.
Landscape Placement
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Excellent for rock gardens, sunny borders, containers, or as an edging plant. It thrives in open, dry locations and brings long lasting color to tight spaces or low maintenance designs.
COMPANION PLANTS
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Salvia nemorosa (Wood Sage) - Contrasts with spiky purple blooms and shares sun and soil preferences.
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Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme) - Offers a soft spreading form and fills gaps between Dianthus clumps.
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Armeria maritima (Sea Thrift) - Complements with pink blooms and similar mound forming structure.
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Echinacea pallida (Pale Coneflower) - Adds height and soft pastel contrast with long summer bloom.
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Festuca glauca (Blue Fescue) - Matches with cool toned foliage and thrives in the same dry sunny conditions.