Dianthus 'Shirley Temple' – Fragrant Summer Flowering Hardy Perennial

Dianthus 'Shirley Temple' is a charming and reliable garden pink, prized for its beautifully formed, fully double flowers in soft blush-pink tones that gracefully fade to white as they mature. With a delightful clove-like fragrance, this classic cottage garden perennial is perfect for filling borders, edging pathways, or adding long-lasting colour and scent to patio containers. The neat, compact habit and attractive blue-green evergreen foliage ensure year-round interest, even when the plant is not in flower.

Supplied as a well-established plant in a 5L root-ball, ready to plant out and enjoy.

Key Features:

• Fully double, sweetly fragrant flowers in pale pink fading to white


• Long summer flowering period, ideal for cutting


• Compact, mound-forming evergreen perennial


• Attractive silvery blue-green foliage


• Hardy and low-maintenance once established


• Attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators

Planting and Care:

Plant in a sunny, open position in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Dianthus thrive in free-draining conditions and do not tolerate waterlogged ground. Deadhead spent blooms regularly throughout the season to encourage further flushes of flowers. A light trim after flowering helps maintain a tidy, compact shape. Avoid heavy mulching around the crown to prevent moisture build-up.

Cultural Information:

• Botanical Name: Dianthus 'Shirley Temple'


• Common Names: Pink, Garden Pink, Shirley Temple Pink


• Classification: Hardy Evergreen Perennial


• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 30–40 cm × 30–40 cm


• Growth Habit: Compact, Mound-Forming Evergreen Perennial


• Perfect For: Borders, Edging, Rockeries, Cottage Gardens, Containers


• Flowering Time: Summer (June to August)


• Flower Colour: Pale Blush-Pink Fading to White, Fully Double


• Planting Position: Full Sun


• Soil Type: Well-Drained, Neutral to Alkaline


• Fragrance: Yes – Sweet, Clove-Like Scent


• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies and Pollinators


• Hardiness: Fully Hardy


• Foliage: Narrow, Silvery Blue-Green, Evergreen

What You Receive:

1 x Dianthus 'Shirley Temple' plant, supplied in a 5L root-ball, well-established and ready to plant.

Notes: Available in Shirley Temple – a beautifully soft, pale pink double-flowering variety with outstanding fragrance and reliable garden performance.