Hailed as the "quintessential cottage flower" by Southern Living, dianthus can vary from 6 inches to 3 feet.  It will grow in full to part sun, it is deer resistant and drought tolerant.  Some of the taller varieties have blue foliage (known as the beloved carnation that florists love). We have the lower-to-the-ground variety with flat, star-like flowers. I enjoy several varieties in my yard, always impressed by their prolific flowers and their pretty green foliage.  They do best in alkaline soil and cooler climates than ours (or so I've heard) but I have never had any problems with them.  Give them a hole, water and at least 4-5 hours of sunlight and they are happy.

The dianthus is the pink and the pink & white flowers across the bottom of the photo.