This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: rich but well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: May to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Wonderfully fragrant with reddish, cerise pink blooms and a red centre, 'Cosmopolitan' is a semi-evergreen perennial with has linear, grey-green leaves. Flowering for many months between May to August, this Dianthus works well in pots and containers, in a border or as a cut flower.
  
  
• Garden care: Prefers soil enriched with well-rotted manure or garden compost and an application of a balanced fertiliser in spring. Dianthus should be trimmed back lightly after flowering to promote new growth at the base of plant. Prune more closely in spring, as new shoots emerge to maintain a tidy shape.