Dianthus barbatus

‘Nigrescens’

‘SOOTY’ SWEET WILLIAMS

SALE: Buy 1 Get 2 Packs

Dianthus barbatus ‘Nigrescens’
‘SOOTY’ SWEET WILLIAMS

SALE: Buy 1 Get 2 Packs

Deepest chocolate-burgundy flowers in frilly velvety heads, above burgundy foliage, make Dianthus barbatus ‘Nigrescens’ ‘Sooty’ an old favourite.

Deepest chocolate-burgundy flower heads

The colour of ‘Sooty’ is lovely – a rich and lusciously chocolately, deeply burgundy.
With a beautiful velvety texture too.
Some flower heads can become almost black.

Set off by chocolate tinted foliage

Flowers and foliage are the perfect combination of chocolate tones.

Lovely sweet spicey scent

All enhanced by a deliciously sweet, spicey scent.
Which is lovely to drink in in the garden, or enjoy in a vase indoors.

Superb cut flowers

Heads of Dianthus barbatus ‘Nigrescens’ ‘Sooty’ make superb cut flowers.

Commercial quality flowers for floristry

‘Sooty’ has everything a flower farmer and florist needs

1. Strong, easily clean, straight stems
2. Long vase life – easily 10 days and up to 20 days with water cahnges and preservative.
3. Fashionable rich colour
4. Delightful perfume 

Easy & unfussy to grow

‘Sooty’ is easily grown.
Plants enjoy Sun, lime, well-drained soil, gravel and rocky sites, and thrive with a little extra compost.

Frost hardy and water-wise

Dianthus barbatus are frost hardy plants, and water-wise to grow.
They need only minimal supplementary watering.

Good for pots or garden

And form neat clumps of attractive foliage – so they useful for front edges and decorative pots.

Edible flowers

The flowers of Dianthus barbatus are edible, and have featured in kitchens for centuries.
They have a mild flavour, and can be used as a colourful garnish for vegetable and fruit salads, cakes, desserts, ice-cream and in cold drinks.

Make a refreshing and pretty summer drink

You can also steep the flowers in soda water in the fridge for a few hours to make water with sweet flavour and scent, plus lovely colour.

Bee supermarkets

Bees and our pollinating insect friends are in heaven working the rich nectar and pollen of the flowers.
So Sweet Williams are traditional companion plants for potagers, veggie patches, orchards – to haul in the insects.
And of course also in flower beds for picking flowers.

Hardy perennial / biennial, evergreen clump and self-sows if happy.

40cm High in full flower x 45cm Wide, low, evergreen clump of chocolate tinted foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow directly in the garden in early spring.
OR
Sow at any time of year in a punnet indoors, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided.

Indoors for early plants: Sow in punnets on surface of good quality seed raising mix. Press gently and barely cover with mix or fine sandy grit. Keep moist. 18-22C approx. is best for rapid germination, then most seedlings should emerge in approx. 7-14 days.

Seed Count: 100 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

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