alpine pink 'Joan's Blood'

Grow in well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Prefers soil enriched with well-rotted manure or garden compost and an application of a balanced fertiliser in spring

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and maintain a compact habit

Propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer

Slugs and snails and aphids may be a problem

May be affected by a virus, a rust and fungal diseases such as dianthus Fusarium wilt