About Dianthus gratianopolitanus Vill.
Dianthus gratianopolitanus Vill., commonly known as Cheddar pink or clove pink, is a plant species belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. It reaches a mature height of 0.5 to 1 foot, and blooms from May to June. Its flowers are fragrant and rose pink in color. This species grows best in full sun and has medium water requirements. Overwatering or poor drainage causes crown rot, and plants cannot tolerate wet soil conditions during winter. Its specific epithet gratianopolitanus references Gratianopolis, the ancient Roman name for the modern French city of Grenoble. Its common name Cheddar pink comes from its native range at Cheddar Gorge in England. The species is native to western and central Europe, spanning from the United Kingdom to Ukraine. It was granted protected species status in the United Kingdom in 1975 under the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act. Cultivated varieties of this species include 'Feuerhexe' (also listed under the synonym 'Fire Witch'), 'Grandiflorus', and 'Tiny Rubies'. Dianthus gratianopolitanus has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
