Dianthus plumarius Merci Fleuri

Dianthus plumarius 'Merci Fleuri' is a biennial pink that bears a vibrant and elegant flowering of cherry-red blooms. Its small flowers, carried in a rounded dome above the foliage, are adorned with a beautiful dark pattern. The flowering extends from April to September, alternating abundant peaks with periods of more standard flowering. More flowers will bloom if one takes care to remove faded flowers as they appear, but it is not essential to perform this task. Particularly suitable for pot cultivation due to its small size and floribundity, it is also an excellent perennial for sunny borders, where it forms persistent green cushions even in winter.  

Dianthus 'Merci Fleuri' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is one of many cultivars resulting from cross-breeding D. plumarius and D. caryophyllus. The former is a European perennial that is the main ancestor of various groups of traditional or modern pinks. D. caryophyllus is Mediterranean, and it has passed on to its descendants its wonderful clove fragrance and its good tolerance to limestone and dry soils. The growth rate of 'Merci Fleuri' is quite rapid. Its adult size will not exceed 25cm (10in) in height with a spread of 30cm (12in), or even more. This pink forms a dense clump. From April to September, wide flowers measuring 4 to 5 cm (2in) emerge. They bear slightly toothed petals. The flowers are carried at the end of short, often branched stems. Its linear, glabrous, pointed, evergreen, and leathery leaves are dark green. 

Dianthus 'Merci Fleuri' is a very pretty plant for patios or balconies. It is hardy to at least -15°C (5°F). It is water-efficient and loves the sun. It will thrive in well-drained border beds, embankments, and rock gardens. Its beautiful fragrant flowers bring undeniable charm to even the most modest decor. For example, it can be placed in front of other white, pink, or bicolored pinks ('Devon Dove', 'Cranmere Pool', 'Devon Cream', 'Letitia Wyatt', 'Whatfield Gem'). Alternatively, it can accompany the blue bells of campanulas, the lavender blue mosses of catmints, small lavenders, or flowering cushions like helianthemums, catchflies, wall bellflowers, Caucasus rockcress, moss phlox, Mexican fleabane, and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). This plant makes a nice edging between the stones of a low wall or pavement, in a trough or in a container. 

Note: Please note that our young plug plants are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, replant them as soon as possible, in pots, containers, or directly in the garden bed.