Dreamy Pastel Garden: Dianthus 'Rainbow Loveliness' & Companion Plants

Drifts of dreamy pastel flowers float above Michele Hampton's backyard in Hailey, Idaho. Early summer blooms include rosy cheddar pinks, red-and-white 'McKana Giants' columbines, and white snow-in-summer. But the star is Dianthus x hybrida 'Rainbow Loveliness Mixed', with finely fringed petals in crimson, lilac, and pink—sublime in both looks and heavenly fragrance.

Garden Preparation & Planting

Hampton prepared stone-walled beds by digging sand, manure, and peat moss into native clay soil. She sowed 'Rainbow Loveliness' seeds directly and set out transplants of companion flowers.

Seasonal Care Routine

During the growing season, feed monthly with granular organic fertilizer. After the first late-spring flush, remove spent blossoms—the plants rebloom in midsummer and continue into fall. Then cut back, scatter seeds from dried dianthus blossoms, and mulch with 1–2 inches of compost and manure. Next spring, add another inch of compost.

Source: Dianthus x hybrida 'Rainbow Loveliness Mixed' is sold by Thompson & Morgan.