The following dianthus varieties are excellent choices for the landscape.

Dianthus Bouquet Series

These plants can be grown from seed. Pelleted seeds are available. Suited to zones four through nine, these plants attract butterflies.

The flower stems make great cut flowers. Cutting the blossoms for bouquets actually helps the plant to keep flowering longer.

Tolerant of heat, these plants are a good choice for perennial borders. They were released in 2010 by Pan American Seed. The well branched plants have long straight strong stems that need no staking.

The upright, mounded plant is available in a number of flower colors in the series. The purple flowered one has blooms that are almost lavender. This plant was named a Mississippi Medallion winner in the plant trials. It is especially beautiful. `

Another plant in the series was named a Minnesota Select Perennial winner in plant trials there. Rose Magic dianthus was a new color in 2010. The eye catching blooms are deep rose. There is also a white flowered plant in the series as well.

All of the Bouquet series flowers are long lasting in the landscape. The lovely blooms are scented and dainty looking. These plants are 1 ½ to two feet tall and about a foot wide. Flowering is from May through September.

Dianthus Frosty Fire

Suited to zones three through nine, Frosty Fire dianthus can withstand heat. It is only six to eight inches tall with a spread of ½ foot to a foot. This evergreen forms a neat mound.

It is an excellent choice for butterfly and hummingbird gardens. Preferring full sun, this perennial features very small greenish-blue leaves that look icy.

This long blooming plant bears flowers from June through September if it is deadheaded. Otherwise, it blooms once in the summer with a repeat bloom in the fall.

The frilly blossoms are held well above the foliage. They resemble carnations. The double flowers are bright red.

Dianthus Star series

Some of these plants are award winning hybrids.

These are considered super stars in the garden. The plants are perfect for containers and rock gardens.

There are about a dozen of these alpine plants. The flowers can be single, semi-double, or double.

The slender leaves are gray. The attractive dwarf plants are hardy to zone five, and do best in full sun. These are eight inches or so tall and equally wide.

This is a popular series. The plants are top performers in the landscape. They do require good drainage.

Depending on the variety, the flowers can be single or double. Flowering is typically from May onward. These are long blooming plants.

There is an amazing number of varieties in the Star series. Ones with red blooms or mostly red include Spangled Star, Fire Star and Eastern Star. Some of those with pink blooms are Pixie Star and Neon Star. Brilliant Star features white blooms with wine red centers.