Botanical Name: Dianthus chinensis ‘American Pie® Berry À La Mode’

Common Name: Dianthus, Pinks

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 5–9; Often Grown as a Cool-Season Annual

Size: 8–12" Tall × 10–14" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Mounded, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Performs Best in Average to Fertile Garden Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Regular Water During Establishment

Bloom Season: Early Spring through Late Spring; Reblooms in Fall

Fertilizer: Light Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Rich Berry-Pink Blooms, Frilled Petals, Decorative Flower Form, Long-Lasting Cool-Season Color

Uses: Containers, Borders, Edging, Mass Plantings, Cool-Season Displays

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Dianthus Plant Guide for full care details.

More About Dianthus ‘American Pie® Berry À La Mode’

‘Berry À La Mode’ isn’t your regular Dianthus. The color has weight to it. It’s a saturated berry tone with a slight cool undertone that keeps it from looking sugary or pastel. The petals are finely serrated, almost lace-like, which gives each bloom dimension instead of that flat, button look some dianthus can have. When planted in drifts, the flowers create a textured canopy rather than a stiff row of dots.  The blooms are substantial enough to feel showy, but they’re held on short, sturdy stems that don’t flop. The foliage stays tight and forms a dense cushion underneath, so the plant looks intentional from the moment it fills in. It reads as designed, not accidental.

In Early Spring, it comes on strong. Not scattered blooms here and there. A real flush. Then as heat builds in Summer, it settles down without collapsing. Once temperatures cool in Fall, it often pushes another solid round of flowers. That rhythm makes it incredibly useful in cool-season-focused plantings where you want impact before and after peak Summer. From a design standpoint, this is not a shy plant. The berry tone gives you options. Against gray stone, it looks rich and dramatic. Next to white, it sharpens. Paired with deep plum or navy flowers, it becomes layered and moody.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Berry À La Mode has shown good structural discipline. It fills out evenly and holds a symmetrical mound without constant grooming. After the first bloom cycle, a clean trim brings it right back into shape and resets the plant quickly. It also handles transitional weather well. Cold snaps in Late Winter don’t seem to faze it once established, and it rebounds cleanly as conditions stabilize. That reliability matters, especially when you’re planting early and want confidence the display will carry.

This one works especially well in the front third of a bed where detail matters. It gives you texture at ground level without looking messy. In containers, it behaves predictably and doesn’t stretch awkwardly toward light the way some dianthus can. If you want Dianthus that feels substantial instead of delicate, and polished instead of old-fashioned, ‘American Pie® Berry À La Mode’ delivers that balance.

American Pie® Berry À La Mode vs. Other Dianthus

Within the American Pie® Series, Berry À La Mode offers the most balanced and classic coloration. Its rich berry-pink blooms are softer and more traditional than the high-contrast tones of Bumbleberry Pie, yet deeper and more saturated than the playful brightness of Key Lime Pie. Compared to Cherry Pie’s bold red, Berry À La Mode feels more versatile and easier to blend into mixed plantings, making it a strong “middle ground” option within the series.

Compared to the Super Trouper™ Series, Berry À La Mode has more decorative, frilled petals but slightly less uniform bloom coverage and a looser overall habit. Where Super Trouper excels in density and cold-season reliability, American Pie leans into charm and visual detail. Against Amazon™ Lavender Magic, Berry À La Mode trades flower size and stem strength for compact form and ornamental appeal.