Fire Witch™ Cheddar Pink

‘Firewitch’ is a fragrant, mat-forming cultivar of cheddar pink with vivid magenta-pink flowers and evergreen blue-green foliage. Its low spread makes it useful along border edges, over stone, or in a sunny container. ## Flowers and form The [University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension profile](https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/dianthus-gratianopolitanus-firewitch/) reports heavy flowering from late spring into early summer, sporadic summer flowers, and possible fall rebloom after deadheading. It describes 4–6-inch foliage mats, flower stems to 8 inches, and a mature spread of 18–24 inches. The cultivar was the Perennial Plant Association’s 2006 Plant of the Year. ## Siting Plant in full sun and well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil; light afternoon shade is tolerated. The [Ball Seed plant profile](https://info.ballseed.com/PlantInfo/?phid=022500663001857) lists spring bloom, a spreading habit, fragrant flowers, heat tolerance, and hardiness from zones 3a–9b. UW Extension reports zones 3a–8b, so retain the more specific upper zone 8 for this record. ## Maintenance Deadhead after the main flush to support repeat bloom and prune the foliage in early spring or after flowering to control spread. Water during prolonged dry periods, while keeping winter soil well drained. Divide every few years if the clump declines.