Dianthus barbatus 'Nigricans'
sweet william Nigrescens Group
A bushy short-lived perennial, usually grown as a biennial to flower in spring and summer. Green leaves develop dark purple-maroon shades as they mature. The scented flowers are a deep-maroon, almost black colour and are held on long stems, some of which may exceed 50cm in height
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Black | Green Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Black | Green Purple | ||
| Autumn | Green Purple | |||
| Winter | Green Purple |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets: Skin allergen, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Dianthus can be annuals, evergreen perennials or subshrubs with narrow, often greyish leaves and showy flowers that are frequently fragrant
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a well-drained soil in a sunny position
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots. Dianthus barbatus can be grown from seed, but seed collected from cultivars may result in plants with different characteristics
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Bedding
- Flower borders and beds
- Cut flowers
- Garden edging
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust, a virus and fusarium wilt
Get involved
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