Dianthus 'Paint the Town Magenta' Proven Winners®

Paint the Town Magenta Dianthus is the 2022 Proven Winners® National Perennial of the Year and a standout member of the Paint the Town® Series, bred for its vibrant colour and impressive drought tolerance. The charming, single magenta-pink flowers measure about 2.5 cm (1 in) wide and feature strikingly serrated petals. During peak bloom, the blossoms blanket the plant like a living carpet. Also known as Paint the Town Magenta Pinks, this cultivar is among the earliest blooming dianthus varieties.

After the first flush of flowers, cutting the plant back reveals its attractive, dense, glaucous blue foliage and prepares it for another spectacular round of blooms in early fall.

A compact, mounding perennial, this cheddar pinks plant grows to approximately 20 cm (8 in) tall and 36 cm (14 in) wide. Its tidy habit makes it ideal for edging the front of borders or showcasing in mixed containers. This prolific, fragrant bloomer attracts butterflies and other pollinators, while its excellent heat, salt, and drought tolerance (once established) makes it a reliable choice for rock gardens. For best performance, plant Paint the Town Magenta Dianthus in full sun; shaded locations may cause the plant to become leggy.

This Dianthus plant is a deer-resistant, low-maintenance perennial, and generally free of any disease or insect issues.

Fun fact: Dianthus flowers are edible! The individual petals have a pleasantly sweet flavour that echoes their perfumed scent.