Full, double, clove-scented, deep red and white flowers bloom on compact mounds of grey-green foliage in early summer and may continue sporadically until fall when another flush occurs. This cultivar is particularly heat and humidity tolerant and looks good all season. This charming low growing plant makes a good ground cover or edging in a border, and looks right at home in a cottage garden. The flowers attract butterflies but deer leave the plant alone.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Fragrant, double flowers 1-1 ½” across are produced in late spring; they open dark red with white blotches but mature so that they have white petals ringed with dark red.
Foliage: Evergreen blue-green, grass-like leaves
Size: 6-12” H x 6-12” W
Light: Full to part sun
Soil: Average, well-drained; some drought tolerance once established, slightly acidic to neutral
Fertilizer: Light to moderate fertilizer needs
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Care: Dead head to encourage rebloom; divide in spring every few years to rejuvenate.
Pests and Diseases: Crown and root rots if soil is not well-drained; bacterial leaf spot, fusarium wilt
Propagation: Tip cuttings in spring
Companion plants: Sedum spp., daylilies, coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), Chinese delphinium (Delphinium grandiflorum), coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea), balloon flower (Platycodongrandiflorus), Campanula spp., hardy geranium (Geranium spp.).
