BluKiss (Dianthus gratianopolitanus SS1642)

BluKiss™ is a blue-foliaged selection of the species dianthus gratianopolitanus. It is a hardy, mounding perennial that grows naturally across vast regions of Europe and is now adapted to grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8. It flowers in single, soft lavender-pink blossoms that are neatly fringed on the edges. It is identified by blue foliage of uniform size and pink blossoms held close to the foliage.

Problem

Though dianthus gratianopolitanus is found widely across Europe, it often encounters problems with winter sun-scorch and browning-out when grown in the Intermountain West. BluKiss™ overcame this difficulty better than three other commercially available cultivars of dianthus gratianopolitanus (Firewitch, Wicked Witch, and Tiny Rubies). It performed better in all areas that were evaluated.

Solution

BluKiss™ has excellent resistance to winter sun-scorch and browning-out. It has silvery-blue foliage (as opposed to the usual green foliage) during the growing season and takes on a purple cast during the months of relative dormancy. It is highly tolerant of heat, drought, and varying soil conditions. It flowered the longest among other dianthus gratianopolitanus cultivars.

Benefits

BluKiss™ is a long-flowering plant that blooms extensively during late spring and early summer. Its flowers are beautifully complemented by silvery-blue foliage. It does well in dry, sunny areas and is an excellent choice in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. It is attractive to butterflies, but isn’t favored by deer.

Applications

BluKiss™ is intended for ornamental use. It is quite short and compact, giving it versatile applications in formal and naturalized plantings. It does well in dry, sunny areas in gardens, and is very hearty. It has a spreading tendency, making it an outstanding groundcover plant, particularly on dry slopes.

It can adapt to areas of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and Colorado. It is reasonable to infer that it would also adapt well to areas of Washington, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and the plains states.

BluKiss™ is part of the Sego Supreme™ plant introduction program at Utah State which develops, evaluates, and promotes new, well-adapted plant cultivars for the growing conditions of the western United States. The plants are selected for their drought tolerance, ornamental attributes, and dependability in professional and home landscapes, with the intent that they can be grown successfully in many climates and conditions. Plants in the Sego Supreme™ program are licensed to nurseries and greenhouses that are also part of this program with revenues supporting ongoing breeding and research efforts at Utah State University’s Botanical Center in Kaysville, Utah.

Contact

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Christian S. Iverson, MBA

Executive Director, Technology Transfer Services
(435) 797-9620 christian.iverson@usu.edu

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Inteum ID C19026