Dianthus allwoodii Fusilier

Dianthus 'Fusilier' is a hybrid carnation that is very compact, combining hardiness, frugality, and floribundance. It captivates with its semi-double flowers in a dark red colour, visible from afar. The plant disappears in late spring under a profusion of flowers. This carnation forms a small, well-groomed evergreen cushion with tightly packed slender grey-green leaves. It is attractive throughout the year in the garden or in flower pots. It is a reliable and hardy perennial variety that will not disappoint, as long as it is planted in well-drained soil, in full sun.

'Fusilier' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a cultivar resulting from cross-breeding between Dianthus plumarius and D. alpinus. D. plumarius is a European perennial that is the main ancestor of various groups of carnations, whether old-fashioned or modern. The plants in the allwoodii alpinus group are compact, vigorous, and highly floriferous. The growth of this carnation is quite rapid. Its adult size will not exceed 20cm (8in) in height when flowering, with a spread of 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in). The dense clump gives rise to brilliant flowers from May to June, with 7 fringed petals. The flowers appear at the top of short stems, which are usually uniflorous. The flowers are slightly fragrant. Its linear, glabrous, evergreen, and leathery leaves are a superb grey-green colour.

'Fusilier' is suitable for borders, embankments, and dry rock gardens, and is also beautiful when covering a wall. It can be accompanied by other flowering cushions such as helianthemums, silenes, dwarf artemisia (Artemisia lanata), wall bellflower, Caucasus rock cress, creeping phlox (Phlox subulata), cooper's ice plant (Delosperma cooperi), Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus), and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). This plant looks lovely between the stones of a wall or pavement, or in a garden pot. It adapts very well to container gardening, in lightweight and moisture-retaining soil.