Lots of flowers have “lily” added to the name: lily-of-the-valley, waterlily, daylily, calla lily, to name a few. It’s understandable – the lily is an archetypal flower, equal to the rose in history and symbolism, with thousands of years of reverence attached to it. Those other “lilies” have plenty of charm, but none of them have the sheer presence of the true lily.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’ (Firewitch Cheddar Pink)

The German cultivar name of this long blooming perennial translates as “Firewitch.” I’m assuming the name is a tribute to its enchanting qualities and the blazing pink of its tiny frilled petals. The plants in the genus Dianthus are generally referred to as “pinks,” although they do bloom in many shades from ruby red to white. The name is actually derived from the old German word for Pentecost, which occurs about the same time the plants bloom in spring. "Cheddar" refers to the area in England where the plant (and the cheese) originated. As a group, they tend to be good plants for rock gardens and sandy well-drained sites in full sun. This particular variety keeps its fire under control with striking silvery blue foliage. Only 12 inches high, it can spread to form a tidy mound that may remain evergreen in mild winters. It was chosen as 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association, which is also the source for much of my information about the plant. It is said to be resistant to browsing by deer as well. Although these are all stellar qualities in a garden flower, the thing that transports this plant to the realm of magic for me is its spicy, compelling scent of cloves. You’ll find it planted near the path as you walk through the Flower Show theme gardens at the northeast end of the the Garden.

Posted by Ann McCulloh