High Country Gardens
Dianthus deltoides 'Flashing Lights'
Best low-maintenance groundcover for gardeners seeking vibrant, deer-resistant pollinator support.
The Dianthus deltoides 'Flashing Lights', also known as Maiden Pink, offers a vibrant display of fringed, scarlet-red flowers from late spring through summer. This hardy perennial is celebrated for its creeping habit, making it an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, or as a groundcover. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, becoming drought-tolerant once established. This easy-to-grow plant not only adds striking color but also attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, while remaining resistant to deer.
$13.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
28
/ 2577
#28 in Flowers
Price vs Category Average
-66%
Below average
Life Cycle
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, long-lasting seasonal color
- Xeriscape enthusiasts needing cold-hardy, drought-tolerant perennials
- Landscapers looking for low-maintenance, weed-suppressing groundcover
Who should skip it
- Gardeners working with heavy, poorly draining clay soils
- Minimalists wanting to avoid frequent deadheading or plant migration
- Residents in hot, humid climates seeking long-term perennials
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Appeal
Bright scarlet blooms act as a magnet for local bees and butterflies.
Drought Tolerance
Once established, this hardy perennial thrives with minimal supplemental watering.
Deer Resistance
Reliably deters browsing wildlife, keeping your garden borders intact and pristine.
Maintenance Effort
A low-fuss groundcover that rewards minimal care with consistent seasonal color.
Growth Versatility
Ideal for rock gardens, borders, or as a dense, creeping groundcover.
Pet Safety
Contains compounds toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested.
Key Specs
Life Cycle
Perennial
Watering Needs
Low
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Season
Spring, Summer
Growth Habit
Trailing
Mature Height
12 inches
Mature Spread
10 inches wide
Deer Resistant
True
Features
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Fragrant blossoms
- Creeping habit for groundcover
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Low maintenance
- Encourages reblooming
- Vibrant scarlet-red flowers
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional reliability and vibrant design of 'Flashing Lights'. Reviewers frequently note its impressive hardiness, thriving where other plants struggle, making it a dependable groundcover solution. The intense, eye catching scarlet blooms deliver significant visual impact throughout the season, exceeding expectations for color saturation and longevity. This Dianthus offers excellent value, establishing quickly and requiring minimal fuss, proving itself a robust and beautiful addition to rock gardens and borders alike.
Know before you buy
Since 'Flashing Lights' has a mature spread of about 10 inches, you should space them approximately 8 to 10 inches apart to achieve a dense, carpet-like effect.
Yes, this variety is hardy in zones 3 through 8, meaning it can withstand cold winters as far north as zone 3. It is a reliable perennial that will return each spring.
While no plant is completely deer-proof, 'Flashing Lights' is generally avoided by deer due to its texture and scent. It is a great choice if you have frequent deer traffic in your landscape.
The most important requirement is well-drained soil. If your garden has heavy clay, consider amending the soil or planting in a raised bed or rock garden to prevent root rot.
No, this plant is considered toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested. If you have curious pets that tend to graze on garden plants, you may want to place this in a protected area.
To keep the flowers coming, you can lightly shear back the foliage after the first heavy flush of blooms. This encourages the plant to put energy into a second round of scarlet flowers.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$14