Botanical Name: Dianthus chinensis ‘American Pie® Cherry Pie’

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; Often Reblooming in Fall

Fertilizer: Light Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Vibrant Cherry-Red 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® Cherry Pie’

‘American Pie® Cherry Pie’ brings a true, confident red to the cool-season garden. In Early Spring, when the light is softer and the garden is just beginning to wake up, that red feels energizing instead of overpowering. The blooms have gently frilled edges that give them shape and detail. From a distance, you see a bold sweep of color. Up close, you notice the texture in the petals and the way each flower layers over the next. The blooms sit just above the foliage, creating a tight dome of red that looks intentional and balanced rather than scattered.

One thing I appreciate about this variety is its clarity of color. Some reds can muddy as temperatures swing, especially in transitional weather. ‘Cherry Pie’ holds its tone well in cool conditions. In Fall plantings, when paired with ornamental grasses or darker foliage, it adds a crisp punch that feels seasonal but not themed. It performs best when temperatures stay moderate. You get a strong flush in Spring, and with a proper trim after bloom, it often responds again in Fall as nights cool. The plant stays compact and evenly shaped, making it easy to use at the front of a border or as a feature in a container without worrying about it spreading thin in the center.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our Upstate SC testing grounds, ‘Cherry Pie’ proved to be structurally reliable. It fills out evenly from the crown and maintains a rounded silhouette without constant correction. After flowering, it responds well to a light cutback and resets quickly. Bloom production has been consistent. The flowers are abundant without being crowded, and they hold their form well through variable Spring weather. We have not seen it stretch or flop the way some Dianthus selections can.

From a design standpoint, it is especially effective as a contrast plant. The clean red tone sharpens whites, intensifies silvers, and deepens purples planted nearby. Against deep green foliage, it reads crisp and defined. For gardeners looking to introduce bold color into Early Spring and Fall plantings without sacrificing structure or manageability, ‘American Pie® Cherry Pie’ offers clarity, energy, and dependable performance in a compact form.

American Pie® Cherry Pie vs. Other Dianthus

Among the American Pie® Series, Cherry Pie delivers the cleanest and most classic red coloration. It is brighter and more straightforward than Bumbleberry Pie’s darker tones and far bolder than Berry À La Mode’s softer pinks. Compared to Key Lime Pie, Cherry Pie brings warmth and intensity, making it ideal for gardeners who want strong color without novelty hues.

Against the Super Trouper™ Series, Cherry Pie offers more visual flair through its frilled petals but doesn’t quite match Super Trouper’s heavy, uniform bloom coverage or cold-weather dependability. Super Trouper varieties feel more engineered for performance, while Cherry Pie leans decorative. When compared to Amazon™ Lavender Magic, Cherry Pie remains a compact landscape plant rather than a cut-flower candidate, prioritizing garden presence over stem length.