Cheddar pink and Cottage pink are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, pollinator friendly, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Dianthus gratianopolitanus 20 cm × 45 cm after 10 years
It forms a dense, blue-grey, grassy cushion with clove-scented, mostly pink flowers above it in late spring. It belongs in rock gardens, on walls,…
Dianthus plumarius 30 cm × 50 cm after 10 years
An old cottage garden favourite: its grey, grassy leaves form a dense cushion all year, and in early summer it is covered in fringed, clove-scented…
Cottage pink grows larger: 30 cm × 50 cm after ten years, against 20 cm × 45 cm for Cheddar pink.
Cheddar pink tolerates drought better than Cottage pink.
Cheddar pink needs less water than Cottage pink.
Cheddar pink needs less care than Cottage pink.
Cottage pink is cheaper: about CZK 54 at the size usually planted, against about CZK 73 for Cheddar pink.
Cheddar pink is the better choice if space is tight, you cannot water regularly or you have little time for care.
Cottage pink is the better choice if price matters.
|
Feature
|
Cheddar pink
|
Cottage pink
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Ground cover | Perennial |
| Size after 10 years | 20 cm × 45 cm | 30 cm × 50 cm |
| Ultimate size | 15–30 cm × 30–60 cm | 15–60 cm × 30–60 cm |
| Growth rate | Medium (uncertain) | Medium (uncertain) |
| Light | Full sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous | Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous |
| Hardiness | down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) | down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7) |
| Heat tolerance | High | Medium (uncertain) |
| Foliage | Evergreen (uncertain) | Evergreen |
| Flowering | May–June, pink, red, white | May–August, pink, white, red |
| Water need | Low | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | High | Medium |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
| Planting distance | 30 cm | 30 cm |
| For dogs | Mildly toxic | Mildly toxic |
| For cats | Mildly toxic | Mildly toxic |
| For children | Mildly toxic (uncertain) | Mildly toxic (uncertain) |
| Typical price | approx. CZK 73 | approx. CZK 54 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026
Besides the cookies the site needs to work, we would like to use analytics and advertising cookies (Google, Facebook), if you allow it. Details