Dianthus barbatus 'Nigrescens' |
Native Region: Southern Europe
Zone Range: 03-09
Preferred Climate: Temperate - Mediterranean
Harvest Date: Sunday 24 August, 2008
Seed count: 50-60
Description:
This bushy pink is grown as a biennial and has light green leaves with clusters of many small sweet-scented dark red flowers. Photographs can barely convey the intense dark red, virtually black colour of the flowers of this plant. Height to 28 inches; spread 12 inches.
Notes:
It thrives in loamy, slightly alkaline soil with sun to partial shade. Propagation is by seed, cuttings, or division, but seeds of cultivars will not breed true. If it is planted from seed after the last frost, it will flower in the second year. If it is planted in flats before the last frost and then transplanted it may flower in the first year.
Cultivation:
Sow seed in containers in a coldframe in autumn or spring. If sowing in spring it is possible that cold stratification could help improve germination, which can be erratic. Grow in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. For maximum freshness, please keep seed refrigerated in its original packaging until it is time to plant.
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