Introducing Dash Violet Dianthus - A Vivid Violet Perennial Flower

Introducing the Dash Violet Dianthus

Dianthus is a beloved genus of flowering plants that includes popular varieties like carnations, pinks, and sweet william. Gardeners around the world cherish dianthus for their grass-like blue-green foliage and brightly colored blooms that appear in late spring and summer. This season, a stunning new dianthus named 'Dash Violet' is set to make its debut.

Origin of the Dash Violet Dianthus

The Dash Violet dianthus was hybridized by an American breeder, using carefully selected parent plants to create a new variety with unique traits. By crossing existing dianthus cultivars and selecting the best seedlings over multiple generations, the breeder was able to develop the brand-new Dash Violet.

The goal was to create a dianthus with an exceptionally long blooming season, vivid violet flowers, and good heat tolerance. After years of meticulous work, the resulting Dash Violet dianthus exceeded expectations for both prolific flowering and ornamental beauty.

Appearance and Growth Habit

Like others in the dianthus family, Dash Violet forms a low mound or cushion of slender green leaves, reaching 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide at maturity. Its growth habit is compact and tidy, making it perfect for containers and color bowls.

From late spring through fall, Dash Violet produces an abundance of stunning fully double flowers in a deep violet-purple hue with dark centers. The blossoms rise above the foliage on straight stems. Each frilly double bloom is about 1-2 inches wide. Flowers appear singly or in small clusters.

Ideal Growing Conditions

This new dianthus variety thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Like most dianthus, Dash Violet prefers drier conditions and may be prone to fungal diseases if overwatered. Provide plenty of air circulation to help keep the foliage dry.

Dash Violet is hardy in USDA zones 4-9. It can tolerate summer heat and humidity better than some dianthus. This perennial is also tolerant of coastal conditions.

Uses in the Landscape and Garden

With its compact habit and vivid purple blooms, Dash Violet is ideal for both containers and garden beds. It can be used as:

• An eye-catching component of mixed containers
• A low border edging or groundcover
• Mass plantings in rock gardens, borders, or pathway edges
• Sidewalks, courtyards, and other hardscape areas

Dash Violet combines beautifully with other small perennials like verbena, alyssum, lavender, and ornamental grasses. It also partners well with annuals like petunias, marigolds, impatiens, and coleus.

Care and Maintenance

Dash Violet dianthus requires very little care to thrive. Follow these simple tips:

• Plant in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Avoid overwatering to prevent fungal diseases.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice during spring and summer.
• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
• Trim plants lightly after first flush of blooms to encourage a compact shape.
• Mulch plants to help retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.

With proper care, Dash Violet will bloom non-stop from late spring through fall. This hardy perennial is drought tolerant once established. One of the key benefits of Dash Violet is its resistance to common dianthus diseases.

Special Features

The new Dash Violet dianthus boasts many fine qualities:

• Vivid violet color - The rich purple blooms stand out beautifully against the green foliage.
• Prolific flowering - Few perennials can match Dash Violet's flower power through the season.
• Heat and humidity tolerance - Dash Violet thrives more easily in hot and humid climates than other dianthus.
• Disease resistance - This variety shows better resistance to fungal diseases than older types.
• Drought tolerance - When established, Dash Violet is quite drought tolerant.
• Low maintenance - Simple care is needed for this tough and vigorous perennial.

Availability

Gardeners can look for the new Dash Violet dianthus at their local garden centers and nurseries during spring 2023. At the time of introduction, it may only be available as small starter plants. But availability and sizes should expand going forward.

Online plant retailers will also likely carry Dash Violet in the future. Gardeners may be able to find it through online specialty growers initially before mass market availability increases.

How to Grow Dash Violet Dianthus

The award-winning new Dash Violet dianthus promises to be a hit with its vibrant blooms and stellar performance. Here is a detailed guide to successfully growing this exciting variety in your own garden.

Planting

Dash Violet can be planted in spring or fall. Spring planting is preferred in zones 4-6, while fall planting is best for warmer zones 7-9. Select a site with full sun to partial afternoon shade and well-drained soil.

Prepare the planting area by turning over the soil and working in some compost or other organic material to enrich it. Space plants 12-15 inches apart in rows or groupings.

Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and place the plant inside. Backfill with soil and press gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.

Care

Dash Violet thrives with minimal care. Follow these guidelines for healthy growth:

• Water plants 1-2 inches per week, allowing the soil to dry somewhat between waterings.
• Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or slow-release granular fertilizer in spring.
• Pinch off spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
• Trim plants lightly after the initial flush of blooms to keep growth compact.
• Spread a thin layer of mulch around plants to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
• Remove dead leaves and stems in fall or early spring.

Overwintering

Dash Violet is hardy to zone 4, meaning it can withstand cold winter temperatures in most regions. It may die back to the ground in areas with very cold winters but will return in spring.

To help it overwinter more successfully:

• Cut plants back by about one third in late fall once flowering slows.
• Apply fresh mulch around the base to insulate roots.
• In very cold zones, use a floating row cover for added protection.

With proper care, your Dash Violet will return bigger and better each season. Division may be needed every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.

Troubleshooting

Dash Violet is less prone to problems than many other dianthus varieties. But it can still be affected by some common issues:

• Fungal diseases - Avoid overhead watering and promote air circulation. Apply organic fungicides if needed.
• Leggy growth - Pinch plants back after flowering and increase sunlight.
• Slowed blooming - This can indicate excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Reduce fertilizer and trim plants.
• Root rot - Allow soil to dry between waterings and improve drainage if soggy.

With proper culture, Dash Violet will reward you with vigorous health and nonstop color in the garden.

Designing With Dash Violet Dianthus

The long blooming season and vivid violet flowers of Dash Violet dianthus make it a perfect choice for both containers and flower beds. Here are some tips for successfully incorporating this new variety into garden designs.

Containers

With its compact habit, Dash Violet is ideal for mixed container plantings. Combine it with other sun-loving annuals and perennials like:

• Scaevola
• Angelonia
• Verbena
• Nemesia
• Petunias
• Ornamental peppers
• trailing lantana

Choose a container with drainage holes large enough to accommodate all the plants. Site the container in full sun. Dash Violet will bloom nonstop to elevate your container all season long.

Borders and Beds

Use Dash Violet as a low edging plant along borders and beds. The violet color provides a vivid contrast to bright yellows, oranges, whites, and pinks. Some classic companion plants include:

• Marigolds
• Zinnias
• Gaillardia
• Salvia
• Verbena
• Geraniums

Group Dash Violet in clusters or sweeps along walkways, borders, and in mass flower beds. The long bloom season ensures months of color.

Rock Gardens

This dwarf dianthus is a natural choice for rock gardens, stone walls, and alpine beds. Interplant it with other compact bloomers like:

• Dwarf phlox
• Creeping thyme
• Aubrieta
• Dwarf irises
• Oregano
• Sedums

Allow Dash Violet to cascade over stone edges and fill in gaps between pavers and boulders. The vivid flowers will stand out beautifully against the rocky backdrop.

Containers and Window Boxes

Few plants flower as prolifically in containers and window boxes as Dash Violet dianthus. Create stunning mixed plantings by combining it with:

• Million bells calibrachoa
• Trailing lobelia
• Bacopa
• Sweet alyssum
• Trailing petunias

Make sure to use a quality potting mix and include water retaining gel crystals for the best results. Site containers in full sun and Dash Violet will reward you with vivid violet color all season!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dash Violet dianthus a perennial or annual?

Dash Violet is a perennial dianthus, meaning it will return year after year in suitable growing zones. It may die back to the ground in winter in cold regions but will regrow in spring.

What are some uses for Dash Violet in the landscape?

Dash Violet shines in containers, rock gardens, border fronts, mass flower beds, and pathway edging. It can also be effective in window boxes, mixed bouquets, and cottage gardens.

Does Dash Violet have any fragrance?

No, Dash Violet is primarily grown for its vibrant violet purple flower color rather than fragrance. Many dianthus have clove-like scented blooms but Dash Violet was bred for its long bloom season and vivid color instead.

What type of soil does Dash Violet require?

Dash Violet thrives in average garden soil as long as it drains well. Amend clay soils with compost to improve drainage. Sandy soils will benefit from added organic matter to help retain moisture and nutrients.

How much sunlight does this dianthus need?

Full sun is required for the best growth and flowering - at least 6 hours per day. Dash Violet can tolerate partial afternoon shade in hot southern climates.

Conclusion

With its compact size, vibrant blooms, and stellar performance, the new Dash Violet dianthus is sure to capture the attention of gardeners everywhere. This exciting hybrid offers the best qualities of traditional dianthus but with improved heat tolerance, disease resistance, and prolonged flowering. Any gardener looking to add vivid color from spring through frost will surely find success with Dash Violet.

FAQs

How tall does Dash Violet dianthus grow?

Dash Violet reaches a mature height of 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. It forms a compact mound or cushion of foliage.

Is Dash Violet suitable for growing in hanging baskets?

Yes, the trailing habit of Dash Violet makes it an excellent option for hanging baskets and containers. Plant it in a basket with other trailing flowers.

How often should Dash Violet be watered?

Water Dash Violet when the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Avoid overwatering, as too much moisture can lead to root rot. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.

Should I deadhead my Dash Violet flowers?

Yes, pinching off spent blooms encourages continuous flowering on Dash Violet. Deadheading also keeps plants looking neat and tidy.

Is Dash Violet deer resistant?

Deer tend to avoid dianthus, so Dash Violet can be a good option for gardens prone to deer damage. Its compact size also makes it more difficult for deer to access.