Overview
Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Dianthus, part of the Caryophyllaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include gravel garden, city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, low maintenance, wall side borders, banks and slopes, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' is a bushy, evergreen perennial cultivar within the Dianthus genus, known for its slender, often greyish foliage and aromatic flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained, neutral to alkaline soils such as chalk, loam, or sand, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings including gravel gardens, patios, rock gardens, and flower borders. Hardy to UK zone H6, it is adaptable to both exposed and sheltered aspects facing south, west, or east. This cultivar is of interest in spring and summer and can be propagated by softwood cuttings or layering.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Dianthus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Low Maintenance, Wall side borders, Banks and slopes, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog'
- Propagation
- Softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer,Layering after flowering
- Pest resistance
- Slugs,Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews,Rust,Fusarium wilt
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog'?
Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' need?
Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' hardy in the UK?
Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Dianthus 'Blue Hedgehog'?
Softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer,Layering after flowering.
More in the Dianthus genus
- Dianthus 'Activa' (pf)
- Dianthus 'Alanya' (pf)
- Dianthus 'Aldridge Yellow' (b)
- Dianthus 'Alice Forbes Improved' (b)
- Dianthus 'Allen's Maria' (p)
- Dianthus 'Alpine Purple' (pt)
- Dianthus 'Amazon Neon Duo' (Amazon Series)
- Dianthus 'Anders Pretty Penny' (p)