DIANTHUS DEVON HERITAGE 'COTTAGE PINKS' IN A WELL-DRAINED BORDER

Recently I reduced the size of my lawn, increasing the size of my borders, and that gave me an area at the top of my sloping garden which was perfect for dianthus (Cottage Pinks).  It is east facing (south-facing is also good), gets sun almost all day until sundown in warmer months, and is very free draining. Perfect for pinks. The three I chose are Valda Wyatt, a strong pink; Letitia Wyatt, a mid pink; and Cranmere Pool which is described as white but really it is more a very pale pink which fades to almost white with age. 

Dianthus 'Valda Wyatt' 

The label describes Valda Wyatt as having large double rose pink blooms with a wonderful perfume through summer.  A good garden variety and prolific bloomer. Perfect for cutting to enjoy indoors. A very popular border plant, also good in rockeries and for gravel beds. Evergreen and perennial.  It achieves a height of 80cm and spread of 30cm, preferring full sun or part shade. It has the RHS Award of Garden Merit.  

Dianthus 'Letitia Wyatt'

Unfortunately, I cannot find a label for Letitia Wyatt. I think it might be stuck on the side of a pot somewhere but I think, looking at it in my garden, it grows very similarly to Valda Wyatt. Like the others, the RHS website confirms that it too has the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Dianthus 'Cranmere Pool'

Dianthus 'Cranmere Pool' is different.  The label says it has masses of double white flowers with a deep magenta centre over several weeks every summer and a wonderful scent. It makes an excellent cut flower and is evergreen and perennial.  It achieves a height of 40cm and spread of 35cm.  It enjoys full sun or part shade, is hardy and also has achieved the RHS Award of Garden Merit.