Dianthus

Flashing Lights is a spectacular first-year-flowering perennial that forms a dense evergreen mat around 4 inches tall. The real joy of this plant comes from late spring when a seemingly impossibly large number of flowers are borne in quick succession giving several months of both color and clove-like scent. Although at times sporadic, flowering can carry on until mid September and beyond. Flashing Lights feature bright ruby-red blooms complemented by an attractive, carmine-red eye. The flowers appear in abundance.  They are at their best in full sun but will also grow in part shade. The plants will tolerate a wide range of soils provided they are well drained. They can be grown in large groups for under planting or used as a ground cover in gravel gardens or to edge a path or walkway. Use them for sloping areas or plant in crevices or on top of walls. They also make an attractive addition to container gardens.