If you are looking for a reliable flowering perennial for the landscape, you won’t go wrong with the Firewitch cheddar pink.

Very easy to grow, this cultivar is particularly outstanding. An evergreen, this plant makes a wonderful ground cover. It can also be used as an edging plant. This is often seen in flower beds and borders. Firewitch cheddar pink would also be a good choice for rock gardens and walls. Other suitable uses include cottage gardens and herb gardens.

In the landscape, this perennial has many suitable companion plants. Among these are garden sage, lamb’s ears, and other perennials that like dry growing conditions.

Only about four inches in height, Firewitch cheddar pink can grow to be ½ to one foot across. The grass-like foliage is silver to grayish-blue. The flower stalks are about eight inches tall. Opening sometime during May and June, these can be purple-red to bright magenta. They have a delicate, clove-like fragrance that is just delightful. To encourage reblooming, cut the old flower stalks as the blossoms begin to fade. By doing that, you should see blooms open sporadically throughout the summer and fall.

Recommended for zones three through nine, this perennial needs full sun in most climates. In very hot areas, a little shade is helpful. Like all the cheddar pinks, Firewitch needs a well drained spot. These alpine plants can not tolerate constant dampness, especially during the winter months.

When you are applying bark chips and other kinds of organic mulches to the rest of the garden, leave this perennial alone. Such mulches can keep the soil too damp. If it is necessary to use mulch, crushed rock or gravel is best.

In cultivation in Europe since 1957, Firewitch cheddar pink has only been available in the U.S. for the last 20 years.

The word pink in the name describes the delicate edges of the flowers. They look as if they were trimmed with pinking shears.
This plant was chosen as the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2006 by the Perennial Plant Association.