Dianthus 'Ideal Violet'
Dianthus chinensis x barbatus Ideal Violet

Bred in the South of France and introduced in 1992, 'Ideal Violet' has been a gardeners' favorite since 1992.

An All-America Selection CLASSIC!
Renowned for its great tolerance of both heat and cold.

There are only 5 All-America Selection Classics in the world, and we are proud to say that Ideal Violet is one of them! Introduced in 1992, it was instantly recognized as a breeding breakthrough, and has never been bettered. This lovely variety was the first Dianthus ever to win the AAS Bedding Plant Award, and has been enjoyed in gardens of all climates ever since.

A cross of D. chinensis (China Pinks) and D. barbatus (Sweet William), Ideal Violet is the perfect fall and winter plant in the south, while it is unbeatable for early-spring glory in the north. Bred in the south of France where the summers are hot and the winters cold, it developed a dual tolerance of climate extremes that serves it very well indeed!

These single blooms measure about 1 1/2 inches wide, merrily fringed and shading from deep violet to magenta at the petal tips. They absolutely blanket the petite plant over their long season, beginning earlier than others and staying quite uniform in size, so that they make superb formal plantings. The plant itself is just 10 to 12 inches high and about a foot wide, growing vigorously in any sunny, well-drained spot.