Dianthus glacialis ssp. gelidus is a superb little alpine pink from the high mountains of the Southern and Eastern Carpathians, particularly the Romanian Carpathians. This diminutive perennial forms tight cushions of narrow, blue-green foliage, with short stems carrying bright pink flowers sometimes marked with darker veins. In its native habitat it grows at high elevations among rocky alpine grasslands, open slopes, sandy soils, and mountain screes, often in exposed sites where few larger plants can compete.
A choice plant for the rock garden, where its compact habit makes it especially effective in a trough, limestone pocket, scree, or planted among rocks. Provide full sun and exceptionally sharp drainage in a gritty, mineral soil. This is one of those true high-alpine Dianthus that is best appreciated close up, where the neat foliage and intensely colored flowers can be seen at their best. The subspecies is also sometimes encountered under its older name, Dianthus gelidus.
zones 4-8
Dianthus glacialis ssp. gelidus is a superb little alpine pink from the high mountains of the Southern and Eastern Carpathians, particularly the Romanian Carpathians. This diminutive perennial forms tight cushions of narrow, blue-green foliage, with short stems carrying bright pink flowers sometimes marked with darker veins. In its native habitat it grows at high elevations among rocky alpine grasslands, open slopes, sandy soils, and mountain screes, often in exposed sites where few larger plants can compete.
A choice plant for the rock garden, where its compact habit makes it especially effective in a trough, limestone pocket, scree, or planted among rocks. Provide full sun and exceptionally sharp drainage in a gritty, mineral soil. This is one of those true high-alpine Dianthus that is best appreciated close up, where the neat foliage and intensely colored flowers can be seen at their best. The subspecies is also sometimes encountered under its older name, Dianthus gelidus.
zones 4-8
