Dianthus barbatus 'Monksilver Black' (p,a)
sweet william 'Monksilver Black'
A short-lived perennial usually treated as a biennial and grown as a bedding plant. Dark red, scented flowers in late spring and early summer are held above dark purple, almost black leaves
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Purple | ||
| Autumn | Purple | |||
| Winter | Purple |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a well-drained soil in full sun
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 as required
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust, a virus and fusarium wilt
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.