Dianthus deltoides Albiflorus

Dianthus deltoides 'Albiflorus', also known as delta pink or heath pink, forms a small, spreading, evergreen and floriferous cushion. The white fringed flowers are fragrant and the leaves are tiny. This fast-growing perennial combines robustness, frugality, and floriferousness. This drought-resistant perennial is ideal for rockeries and walls, in full sun.

'Albiflorus' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a white-flowered variety of Dianthus deltoides, native to Europe and temperate Asia, where it grows in dry areas, heathlands, hills, woodland edges, and poor meadows. This pink grows quickly. Its mature size will not exceed 15cm (6in) in height, with a spread of 30cm (12in) and more as it spreads over the years. It forms a small prostrate clump with a spreading habit. Its small, linear, medium greyish-green leaves are sometimes tinged with violet. They are evergreen and flexible, appearing tightly packed on slender stems. The flowering begins in May and June, lasting until August if the soil is not too dry. The plant is then covered continuously with small, fragrant, white fringed flowers, at the top of usually uniflorous stems.

It is ideal planted in an open location where it can spread in the sun. It is magnificent in a rockery, on a well-drained embankment, or at the top of a dry-stone wall. This plant can fill the base of bushes, or in large containers or alpine troughs. In heavy or clayey soils, add some shovelfuls of gravel and coarse sand to facilitate water drainage. It goes well with mountain plants such as alyssums, soapworts, creeping phlox (P. subulata and P. douglasii), aubrietas, candytufts, and rockroses.

The genus name dianthus comes from the Greek 'dios' for 'Jupiter or divine' and 'anthos' for 'flower'. These dianthus, or 'divine flowers', were named as such by Theophrastus due to their sweet fragrance and beauty.