Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Alpine RockeryHerbaceous Perennial

Dianthus erinaceus

hedgehog dianthus

A low-growing evergreen perennial that over time will form a dense mound of sharp-pointed, short, grey-green leaves; earning its common name - the Hedgehog Dianthus. Small, single pink flowers are produced in summer. Slow-growing, long-lived and drought tolerant once established

Other common names

hedge dianthus

Save to My plants

Buy this plant

Plant nurseries
4 suppliers

Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, Matforming
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: Skin allergen, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Dianthus can be annuals, evergreen perennials or subshrubs with narrow, often greyish leaves and showy flowers that are frequently fragrant
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun in well-drained soil. A long-lived plant that will form a deep root system. Well suited to being grown in a stone trough or rockery

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer or by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust, a virus and fusarium wilt

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.