Dianthus is a beloved flower known for its ruffled petals, intense fragrance, and long bloom season. One standout variety in this perennial genus is Scent First Tickled Pink. With its vibrant pink blossoms and spicy clove scent, this compact dianthus perfumes gardens with beauty from spring through fall.
Overview of Scent First Tickled Pink
Scent First Tickled Pink dianthus (Dianthus ‘Devon Pp11’) is a cultivar bred by Whetman Pinks in Devon England. It’s part of the Scent First series prized for exceptional fragrance, long blooming habit, and tidier growth compared to traditional cottage pinks.
This herbaceous perennial reaches just 6-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. It forms a low cushion of slender blue-tinged grassy foliage. Each small clump is topped with an abundance of frilly semi-double flowers in bright magenta-pink.
The ruffled blossoms produce an intense, spicy scent reminiscent of cloves or cinnamon. The fragrance maintains its strength even in hot and humid summers.
Bloom Time
One of the outstanding traits of Scent First Tickled Pink is its very long bloom season. It flowers freely from late spring through fall in most climates, providing up to 5 months of colorful blossoms.
In early summer, plants are smothered with vibrant pink flowers on short stalks. Deadheading spent blooms encourages plants to re-flush with new blooms repeatedly into the fall. Tickled Pink flowers most prolifically with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Growing Conditions
Scent First Tickled Pink thrives in full sun and very well-drained soil. This tough and drought-tolerant perennial can handle some cold as well as heat and humidity. The ideal growing conditions include:
- Sun: Full sun (minimum 6 hours direct sunlight)
- Soil: Average to dry, sandy or rocky, well-draining soil
- pH range: 5.5 to 8.5 (neutral to alkaline)
- Hardiness zones: USDA 5-9
- Watering needs: Drought tolerant once established
- Flowering: Late spring through fall
Care and Maintenance
With proper care, Scent First Tickled Pink will reward you with months of fragrant pink blooms:
- Plant in spring or fall, spacing about 12 inches apart in full sun.
- Amend soil with compost to improve drainage if needed.
- Water new plantings until an extensive root system is established.
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support flowering.
- Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom season into fall.
- Shear plants lightly after spring flowering to encourage tidier re-blooming.
- Avoid overwatering, allow soil to dry between waterings.
- Mulch plants to help retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
Uses in the Landscape
Thanks to its long bloom season, grassy blue foliage, and compact habit, Scent First Tickled Pink has many uses:
- Borders and beds – Adds long-lasting color and texture
- Rock gardens – Thrives in hot, dry rocky areas
- Containers – Perfect for pots and window boxes
- Edging – Forms a tidy border along paths or beds
- Butterfly gardens – Butteflies love the nectar-rich blooms
- Cut flowers – Superb for fragrant bouquet filler
The long bloom time, vivid flower color, and unbeatable clove fragrance make this one of the best dianthus for gardens. Scent First Tickled Pink blooms spring through fall, pumping out flowers when most perennials have faded. Plant it where the spicy scent can perfume patios, entries, or anywhere you’ll brush against it.
Reviews of Scent First Tickled Pink
Gardeners rave about the vibrant pink blooms and intense fragrance of Scent First Tickled Pink dianthus. Here are some reviews:
“The plant arrived in great shape and I planted it in a pot on my patio. It quickly took off growing and is now covered in pink flowers that smell heavenly! I’m so pleased with this little plant.”
“All the plants I’ve ordered from this nursery arrive very healthy and bloom beautifully. The packaging protects them perfectly during shipping. I will never buy plants anywhere else!”
“I was excited to get these nice big plants in the mail. I can’t wait to see them bloom and release that wonderful clove scent all season long in my garden beds.”
Many reviewers mention the plants arrive in excellent condition, establish quickly in gardens, and provide stunning floral displays with a fantastic fragrance for many months.
Other Varieties to Try
The Scent First series includes other top-performing dianthus cultivars like:
- Scent First Eternity – Double white blooms
- Scent First Raspberry Surprise – Raspberry pink flowers
- Scent First Coconut Surprise – White blooms with pink centers
- Scent First Coral Reef – Double coral-red blossoms
All the Scent First varieties share bushy blue-green foliage, long bloom seasons, and tantalizing clove fragrance. Tickled Pink stands out with its super-saturated pink flower color.
Where to Buy Scent First Tickled Pink Plants
You can find Scent First Tickled Pink dianthus at these reputable online nurseries:
- Nature Hills Nursery
- Spring Hill Nurseries
- White Flower Farm
- Bluestone Perennials
- Wayside Gardens
Many local garden centers and nurseries also carry this variety, especially in the spring. Be sure to plant dianthus in the fall or early spring to allow time for root establishment before summer.
With its months of fabulous pink blooms and heavenly scent, Scent First Tickled Pink dianthus is a sensational addition to gardens, borders, pots, and rockeries. This tough, long-flowering perennial infuses any sunny space with vibrant color and fragrance from spring through fall frost.
Scent First® Tickled Pink
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Plant Dianthus Tickled Pink in ordinary soil, but light and permeable, humus-bearing or stony, preferably limestone, dry to moist and above all well-drained. A gravel-rich soil gives good results. In the ground, this plant is quite hardy, resistant to temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F). This pink prefers a very sunny exposure. Lightly cut back the clump after summer flowering to encourage a second flowering in September. In rich soil, trim some of the foliage with shears after flowering to maintain a dense habit. In poor soil, it will be useful to apply a balanced fertilizer in March. It is advisable to divide the clumps every 3 years to rejuvenate those whose base is thinning out or by easily propagating them with layering or cuttings.
Dianthus x plumarius Scent First® Tickled Pink Garden Pink, Cottage Pink, Grass Pink, Carnation
Dianthus plumarius Scent First Tickled Pink 7/8 cm pot sample as delivered in summer
Representative but indicative photo taken in our greenhouses The extent of growth, flowering or fruit-bearing will depend on weather and seasonal conditions.
1- or 2-year-old plants available all year round at an affordable price. These will require 2-3 years to establish. The best compromise.
- Price per item €5.90
- Price for 3: €14.70 i.e €4.90 each
Sku: 82529
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Dianthus plumarius Scent First Tickled Pink 2L/3L pot sample as delivered in summer
Representative but indicative photo taken in our greenhouses The extent of growth, flowering or fruit-bearing will depend on weather and seasonal conditions.
3-year-old or more, well-developed plants, available all year round. for quicker planting and earlier results in the garden. For gardeners in a great hurry!
- Price per item €13.90
- Price for 3: €37.50 i.e €12.50 each
Sku: 825291
This item cannot be shipped to the selected country ()
This item cannot be shipped to the selected country
Delivery charge from €6.90
Delivery charge from €6.90
and select date in basket
This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty
Customer Reviews and Q&As
The Dianthus Scent First Tickled Pink, like all the carnations in the Scent First series, has a compact habit and offers a long and pleasantly scented spring to summer flowering. Its large, unpretentious flowers are semi-double, fringed at the edges, in a pretty deep pink color, and stand out with a powerful fragrance of sweet and spicy notes. Particularly suitable for pot cultivation due to its small size and floribundancy, it is also an excellent perennial for sunny borders, low water consumption, where it forms evergreen cushions of beautiful grey-blue even in winter.
The sweet William Scent First Tickled Pink belongs to the caryophyllaceae family. Its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden have earned it the gold medal of the plant world, an Award of Garden Merit awarded by the RHS in England. It is a cultivar selected in England, resulting from the cross-breeding between D. plumarius and D. gratianopolitanus among others. Dianthus plumarius is a European perennial that is the main ancestor of different groups of carnations, both old-fashioned and modern. Dianthus gratianopolitanus, on the other hand, is native to Europe and Asia, and has passed on to its descendants, among other things, its compact habit and its wonderful clove fragrance that is recognizable everywhere. The growth of Tickled Pink is quite fast. Its mature size will not exceed 25-30 cm (10-12in) in height with a spread of 30 cm (12in), or even more, as the plant spreads over time. This carnation forms a dense clump, from which emerge, from May-June to August, large 4-5cm (2in) wide, round and semi-double flowers, with slightly toothed petals, carried at the end of short, often branched stems. Its evergreen, linear, glabrous, pointed and leathery leaves are a superb grey-blue color.
The Tickled Pink Dianthus is a very pretty plant for terraces or balconies, hardy to at least -15°C, not demanding in terms of water, but sun-loving. It will also thrive in well-drained ground borders, slopes, and rockeries. Its beautiful scented flowers bring undeniable charm to even the most modest decor, for long weeks. For example, it can be placed in front of other carnations, white, red or pink (Devon Dove, Devon Magic, Devon Cream, Letitia Wyatt), or to accompany the blue bells of campanulas, the lavender blue mounds of catmints, small lavenders, or flowering cushions like helianthems, silenes, wall bellflowers, Caucasian rock cress, Phlox subulata, Erigeron karvinskianus, and Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum). To evoke gardens of yesteryear, a small border of these delightful carnations can be planted at the base of peony clumps and old roses. This plant forms a lovely garnish between the stones of a wall or paving, in a trough or in a flowerpot.
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Dianthus plumarius Scent First Tickled Pink in pictures
Dianthus Scent First™ ‘Raspberry Surprise’ & ‘Coconut Surprise’ // FRAGRANT & Free Flowering
FAQ
How do you care for tickled pink dianthus?
Dianthus ‘Tickled Pink’ needs 6-8 hours of sunlight for optimal growth. Well-draining, fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.0 is crucial for healthy plants. Regular deadheading and moderate watering promote vibrant blooms and prevent root rot.
How do you keep dianthus blooming all year?
Give ample light: Dianthus plants should be planted in a location with at least six hours of bright sunlight daily. Too little light can impact the frequency and vibrancy of the blooms. Give more water: Ample water is essential for dianthus plants’ overall health and blooming.
How big do scent first dianthus get?
Scent First™ Passion Dianthus will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 14 inches apart.
Do pink dianthus come back every year?
Dianthus are perennials, so they will grow back every year once planted. They do tend to get a bit woody after six years or so, at which time you may want to replace them. To do this cheaply, just take cuttings from your existing plants.
What is Dianthus Tickled Pink?
From the Scent First™ Series, its heady spice scent paired with vibrant lavender-pink hues make Dianthus Tickled Pink a standout that cannot be overlooked. Fringed flowers on neat mounds of silver-blue foliage. This series was the recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Who makes Dianthus scented pink Garden pinks?
The Dianthus Scent First™ Tickled Pink Garden Pinks Plant comes to us from Whetman’s Pinks® out of the U.K. where they know a thing or two about breeding Sweet Williams for cottage gardens and containers.
How often do you divide Dianthus tucks?
Can be divided in spring every 2-3 years. Dianthus Tickled Pink – Common name: Pinks, Carnations – From the Scent First™ Series, its heady spice scent paired with vibrant lavender-pink hues make Dianthus Tickled Pink a standout that cannot be overlooked. Fringed flowers on neat mounds of silver-blue foliage.