Dianthus “Firewitch”

April 29, 2009
Larry Hurley
Perennial Plants
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dianthus-firewitch-2 Behnke Nurseries’ Perennial Department features Dianthus “Firewitch”. (Officially and properly Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’, we are using the translation “Firewitch” to sound more user-friendly.) This was the 2006 Perennial Plant Association Perennial of the Year, and a terrific writeup may be found at: PerennialPlant.org

The Perennial Plant Association is a trade association of growers, retailers, writers, landscaper and interested gardeners, dedicated to promoting the use of perennials. To be designated a Perennial of the Year, the selection must be able to be grown over a large geographical area.

In our area, the “pinks” can be a challenge due to our clay soils. A raised bed, rock garden, planting on a slight slope–anything that improves drainage will make you more successful with overwintering this beautiful plant.

Electric pink flowers in May, and blue, grass-like foliage are it’s claims to fame. Low growing, place it in the front or the garden, or a container, so it is easily viewed.

Larry Hurley

Larry Hurley worked at Behnke Nurseries from 1984 until the business was composted in 2019, primarily with the perennial department in growing, buying and sales.

Before landing at Behnke’s, he worked as a technician in a tissue culture lab, a houseplant “expert” at a florist shop, and inventory controller at a wholesale nursery in Dallas. With this and that, ten years passed.

When his wife Carolyn accepted a position at Georgetown University, Larry was hired at Behnke’s for the perennial growing department and garden center at Behnke’s Largo location.

In 2021, Larry and Carolyn moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and further from traffic. After 37 years in a shaded yard in Maryland, he is happy to have a sunny lot where he can grow all sorts of new perennials, if only he can keep the rabbits at bay. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and the snowblower.

Dianthus