Paint the Town Dianthus 1 to 4 of 4 total
Paint the Town Dianthus 1 to 4 of 4 total
Fancy
Rosy fuchsia flowers with red centers above a broad mound of blue foliage.
Paint the Town Dianthus
Proven Winners® Dianthus Collection
Fragrant Flowers Above Cool Blue Foliage
Paint the Town Dianthus forms low mounds of glaucous blue foliage covered in fragrant, serrated flowers from late spring into early summer. These heat-tolerant pinks stay just 6 to 8 inches tall and can rebloom later in the season after the first flush is trimmed.
Early Flowers on a Low Carpet of Blue Foliage
Paint the Town Dianthus is a low-growing pink that handles summer heat better than traditional dianthus. Each cultivar produces single, serrated flowers in late spring to early summer and additional flowers may follow later in the season. The narrow blue foliage is typically evergreen in zones 4-9.
1
Earlier Than Many Dianthus
Paint the Town typically flowers about one to two weeks before the double-flowered Fruit Punch® series, offering color early in the season.
2
Blue Foliage Between Flower Cycles
Narrow glaucous blue leaves form a low mound beneath the flowers and stays evergreen or semi-evergreen depending on winter conditions.
3
Better Heat Tolerance
The series was selected for improved performance in warm conditions, extending the range where this style of perennial dianthus can thrive.
Four Flower Choices
Compare the Paint the Town Colors
The collection stays within the pink-to-red range, but each cultivar differs in tone, flower pattern, and mature spread.
Find the Right Variety
Compare Paint the Town Dianthus
All four selections stay 6 to 8 inches tall, but flower color and mature spread differ.
| Variety | Flowers | Mature Size | Best For | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paint the Town Fancy | Rosy fuchsia with red eye | 6–8" H × 16–18" W | Groundcover effect | Wider spread and patterned flowers |
| Paint the Town Magenta | Magenta pink | 6–8" H × 12–14" W | Compact edging | 2022 Proven Winners Perennial of the Year |
| Paint the Town Red | Deep magenta red | 6–8" H × 16–18" W | Broader front-border coverage | Deepest red-toned flowers in the collection |
| Paint the Town Fuchsia | Fuchsia with lavender center | 6–8" H × 12–14" W | Compact borders & pots | Fuchsia petals with a cooler lavender center |
2022
Proven Winners® Perennial of the Year
Paint the Town Magenta
A Standout for Heat Tolerance, Fragrance & Rebloom
Paint the Town Magenta was selected as the 2022 Proven Winners® Perennial of the Year. The 6- to 8-inch mound is smothered in fragrant magenta flowers in early summer, with intermittent rebloom possible after the first flowering period.
Paint the Town Dianthus Quick Facts
Plant Type
Perennial Dianthus
Growing Zones
4–9
Height
6–8 Inches
Spread
12–18 Inches
Light
Part Sun to Full Sun
Bloom
Early Summer + Rebloom
Attracts
Bees & Butterflies
Tolerates
Heat, Drought & Salt
Front-of-Border Color
Low & Tidy to Edge a Walkway
Paint the Town Red stays 6 to 8 inches tall but spreads 16 to 18 inches, creating a broad low mound at the front of a bed.
The blue foliage remains visible after the first flush of deep magenta-red flowers fades, and trimming spent flower stems can prompt another round of bloom.
See the Habit Up Close
Paint the Town Dianthus in Containers
Individual pots make it easier to compare the mound shape, foliage color, and relative spread of each cultivar.
Red
Deep magenta-red flowers on one of the wider-spreading cultivars.
Magenta
Saturated magenta flowers above a compact 12- to 14-inch mound.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia flowers with lavender centers on a compact blue-leaved plant.
Planting Idea
Fancy in Front of Purple Salvia
The low rosy fuchsia flowers of Paint the Town Fancy sit below upright purple salvia spikes, creating two distinct flower shapes in the same sunny border.
Fancy spreads 16 to 18 inches, so a few plants can form a continuous low layer in front of taller perennials.
Landscape Ideas
Use Paint the Town Along the Front Edge of Sunny Beds
The series works best where its low foliage can remain visible: beside paths, around rocks, beneath upright perennials, or along the front of foundation plantings.
A Low Layer Around Stone
Magenta fills the front edge around a boulder while taller salvia and contrasting coral bell foliage create height behind it.
Border Edging
Fuchsia forms a spreading 6- to 8-inch mound that neatly defines the edge of a border.
Under Taller Flower Spikes
Fancy forms a low flowering layer that serves as a saturated ground cover next to creeping phlox.
Paint the Town Dianthus Care
Sun, Drainage & a Quick Shearing After Bloom
Paint the Town needs little intervention once established in the right site. Good drainage is the main requirement.
Light
Give It Plenty of Sun
The series flowers best in full sun, although it tolerates light shade. Aim for at least five to six hours of direct sun if possible.
Soil
Root Zone Needs Drainage
Loose, well-drained soil is critical for dianthus. Neutral to slightly alkaline conditions suit the series well. Avoid sites that remain wet after rain.
Water
Water More During Establishment
Water new plants consistently during their first season. Established plants tolerate short dry periods and generally need less supplemental water.
Rebloom
Shear After the First Flush
Once the first heavy bloom has finished, trim the spent flower stalks all at once. Fresh flower stems can appear intermittently later in summer and into fall.
Feeding
Moderate Fertilizer
Dianthus is generally content in average garden soil. A light application of compost or slow-release plant food in spring can support fresh growth and blooming.
Winter
Let the Blue Foliage Remain
Foliage can remain evergreen or semi-evergreen through winter depending on climate. Clean up damaged leaves and old flower stems as new spring growth begins.
Why Shop With Us?
Why Buy Paint the Town Dianthus From Plant Addicts?
Compare all four Paint the Town cultivars in one place with dianthus care guidance, purchase protection, and support from a family-owned online plant nursery.
Nursery Quality Plants
Shop perennials for borders, pathways, mass plantings, containers, and pollinator gardens.
Shop All Plants
Free 1-Year Plant Warranty
Perennials purchased from Plant Addicts include an extended one-year warranty for added purchase protection.
View Our Warranty
Expert Plant Care
Find guidance on planting, watering, pruning, feeding, containers, and seasonal dianthus care.
Explore Dianthus Care
Family-Owned Business
Plant Addicts is a family-owned business focused on helping gardeners find plants suited to their landscapes.
About Plant Addicts
Paint the Town Dianthus FAQs
How tall does Paint the Town Dianthus grow?
All four cultivars stay about 6 to 8 inches tall. Magenta and Fuchsia spread about 12 to 14 inches, while Fancy and Red spread about 16 to 18 inches.
When does Paint the Town Dianthus bloom?
The first heavy flowering period occurs in late spring to early summer. Shearing off spent flower stalks can encourage additional blooms later in summer and into fall.
Is Paint the Town Dianthus evergreen?
The glaucous blue foliage can remain evergreen or semi-evergreen depending on winter temperatures and local growing conditions.
Is Paint the Town Dianthus heat tolerant?
Yes. Improved heat tolerance is one of the defining traits of the series and allows these dianthus to perform well across a broad range of climates.
How much sun does Paint the Town Dianthus need?
Part sun to full sun is suitable. Flowering is heaviest with at least five to six hours of direct sunlight.
What type of soil does Paint the Town Dianthus prefer?
Plant in loose, well-drained soil. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil is preferred, and prolonged wet conditions around the roots should be avoided.
Is Paint the Town Dianthus drought tolerant?
Established plants tolerate short dry periods. New plants should be watered regularly until their root systems are established.
Does Paint the Town Dianthus attract pollinators?
Yes. The fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Is Paint the Town Dianthus deer resistant?
Paint the Town cultivars are generally avoided by deer, although browsing can vary where deer pressure is high.
Can Paint the Town Dianthus grow in containers?
Yes. Their short mounded habit works well in sunny outdoor containers. Use a pot with drainage holes and a free-draining potting mix.
Which Paint the Town Dianthus spreads the widest?
Paint the Town Fancy and Paint the Town Red mature to about 16 to 18 inches wide. Magenta and Fuchsia are narrower at roughly 12 to 14 inches.
Which Paint the Town Dianthus has the darkest flowers?
Paint the Town Red has the deepest flower color in the collection, described as deep magenta red.
Which Paint the Town Dianthus has patterned flowers?
Paint the Town Fancy has rosy fuchsia petals with a red eye, and Paint the Town Fuchsia has fuchsia flowers with lavender centers.
What is the difference between Paint the Town and Fruit Punch Dianthus?
Paint the Town cultivars have single flowers and generally bloom earlier. Fruit Punch® cultivars are known for fuller double and semi-double flower forms.
Where can I buy Paint the Town Dianthus?
Plant Addicts carries Paint the Town Fancy, Magenta, Red, and Fuchsia Dianthus. Availability varies during the growing season.
Choose by Flower Color & Mature Spread
Choose Magenta for a compact mound of saturated pink, Fuchsia for lavender-centered flowers, Fancy for a broader rosy fuchsia plant with red eyes, or Red for the deepest flower color and a 16- to 18-inch spread.