Pretty in Pink Dianthera

Pretty in Pink Dianthera (Dianthera nodosa 'Pretty in Pink') is a compact evergreen shrub about 1m tall and 0.8 to 1.2m wide, carrying fan shaped pink flowers through most of the year. It prefers part shade, so it fills the bright but not sunny corners that defeat many flowering plants. The size suits a small garden and the look is soft enough for a cottage border.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers most of the year. Clusters of fan shaped pink blooms appear almost continuously, with a main flush in spring after an autumn prune.
• Compact and tidy. At 1m tall it suits small gardens, courtyards and the front of a shrub border without outgrowing its place.
• Happy in part shade. It brightens positions under trees and beside walls where sun lovers fade.
• Evergreen. It keeps its leaves, so the bed is never bare.
• Flexible in the garden. Use it as a feature in a large pot or as underplanting beneath taller shrubs.

Where it works best

Cottage gardens and borders. Plant 80cm apart in a mixed border. The soft pink flowers sit well with ferns, hostas, impatiens and other shade lovers.

Underplanting. Set it beneath taller shrubs and trees where dappled light reaches, filling the middle layer with colour.

Pots and feature planting. A large container on a shaded patio or beside an entry gives it the drainage and organic mix it likes.

Growing Pretty in Pink Dianthera in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade is ideal: bright light, out of the hot afternoon sun. It prefers a frost free position, so it suits subtropical and warm temperate gardens and sheltered corners elsewhere. In cooler districts grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover for winter.

Soil. Plant in free draining soil rich in organic matter. Dig compost or well rotted manure through the bed before planting.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. After that its water needs are moderate. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Prune in autumn to promote dense growth and flowering in spring. A light, even trim keeps the shape compact.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pretty in Pink Dianthera as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly in a shaded, well prepared spot. Expect a small shrub at first, which builds toward its full size and flowering as the weather warms.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Plants for partial shade
• Plants for small gardens
• More flowering plants
• How to create a cottage garden in Australia

Common questions

Will it flower in shade?

Yes, part shade is its preferred position. In deep, dark shade the flowers will thin, so give it bright, filtered light.

Is it frost hardy?

No. Protect it from frost, particularly while it is young. In frosty districts grow it in a pot and shelter it for winter.

When should I prune it?

In autumn. Pruning then promotes dense growth and good flowering in spring, and a light trim is enough.