Cheddar pink is a species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. The common name of Cheddar pinks is derived from its native habitat Cheddar Gorge in England. It is a herbaceous perennial blooming from May to June. These spicy clove-scented flowers grow best in full sun in loose, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils. It tolerates light shade, particularly in the afternoon. It will tolerate short dry periods but needs regular watering during prolonged drought. This plant is moderately salt-tolerant. Plants grow 1/2 to 1 foot tall and can spread up to 2 feet. Solitary 1-inch pink flowers with a darker eye ring appear in spring. Later intermittent blooming may occur if spent flowers are deadheaded. Provides masses of color and good contrast for the rock garden or small border front. It is a good edging plant and looks attractive in a raised bed where it can spill over the edges. The dense mats may be grown together to form an interesting ground cover. It may also be grown on difficult sites such as stone walls. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Overwatering or poor drainage leads to crown rot, and it does not tolerate wet winter soil conditions. Other potential pests and problems: bacterial blight, fungal wilt, stem rot, leaf spots, rusts, viruses, aphids, thrips, mites.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.