Firewitch Cheddar Pink

Each year the Perennial Plant Association selects one perennial they believe to be especially meritorious yet underused by gardeners and designate it the “Perennial Plant of the Year”. This year’s designee is Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’(Firewitch). For obvious reasons this species is more often referred to by its common name of Firewitch Cheddar Pink. ‘Firewitch’ is one of several cultivars of Cheddar Pink available to gardeners; ‘Tiny Rubies’ being another very popular one.

The genus Dianthus derives it name from Greek words dios and anthos which, literally interpreted, mean “flower of the gods”. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae (Pink) family whose name, in turn, is derived from the Greek for a clove tree, a reference to the above-mentioned clove-like fragrance of flowers in this family. The Pinks are native to the Mediterranean, Balkan Peninsule and Asia Minor Regions and include annual, biennial and perennial species. The cultivation of Dianthus is quite ancient, dating to Greek and Roman times. Members of this genus traveled from Europe to England over the centuries and eventually found their way to colonial America, acquiring a variety of common names along the way. ‘Pink’ or ‘Pinks’ was likely derived as a common name from the Dutch word Pinkster or German word Pfingsten for Pentecost, the time of the year when these plants bloom. Cheddar Pinks most likely derived their name from Cheddar Gorge, a region of southwest England in which it grows in the wild.

Firewitch cheddar pink. Photo by Mary Walters, courtesy of the Perennial Plant Association

Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’ (Firewitch) was introduced in 1957 by a German Nursery and was largely unknown in the United States for decades. In 1987 Pierre Bennerup of Sunny Border Nurseries observed plants of the cultivar in a garden center in The Netherlands while traveling and took them back with him to the United States and shared them with others. Its popularity spread and the rest, as they say, is history. Firewitch Cheddar Pink has bluish-gray, silvery foliage which is low-growing, mat-forming and evergreen in habit. Mature plants reach a height only of three to four inches although an individual plant might be six to twelve inches across. Flowers are pinkish-purple in color, spicy-sweet in fragrance and borne on stems six to eight inches in height. Its combination of flower and foliage color is nothing short of striking when the plant is in full bloom in mid-Spring. Rebloom in midsummer to fall can occur and Firewitch Cheddar Pink is hardy to Zone 3 of the USDA plant hardiness zones.

Firewitch Cheddar Pink is relatively easy to grow, given a few basic cultural practices are followed. Most member of the genus Dianthus prefer full sun yet cool temperatures. In Missouri, a location that receives a bit of afternoon shade would be appreciated by Firewitch Cheddar Pink. It also prefers soil that is well-drained with a pH of 7.0 or slightly above. Plants grown in poorly-drained soil usually decline in vigor and eventually die. Deep layers of organic mulch should be avoided since they tend to keep soil overly moist for this plant in areas of high rainfall. After flowering, the plant should be cut back to promote repeat flowering later in the growing season. Common diseases include root rot, leaf spot and Fusarium wilt. All of these are more problematic when plants are stressed.

Firewitch Cheddar Pink has many uses in the landscape. Because of its short stature it is excellent when used as a border plant, in rock gardens or dry stone walls, or as a ground cover. Its vibrant flowers combine well color-wise with Siberian iris and tread-leaf coreopsis. The foliage of Firewitch Cheddar Pink looks striking along side the blue flowers of plumbago. For an English cottage garden look consider the use of Firewitch Cheddar Pink with Nepeta ‘Blue Wonder’. Finally, it is a great choice for the fragrance garden or well-traveled walk because of it spicy-sweet fragrance.

Reference: www.perennialplant.org

Dave Trinklein
Associate Professor of Horticulture
573-882-9631