Dianthus barbatus (Nigrescens Group) 'Sooty' (p,a)
sweet william (Nigrescens Group) 'Sooty'
A bushy evergreen, usually grown as a biennial to flower in spring and summer, with green leaves that develop dark purple-maroon shades as they mature. The scented flowers are a deep maroon, almost black, colour
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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
Neutral, Alkaline, AcidColour & 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
- Horticultural Group
- Annual Pinks are brightly coloured, low-growing bushy plants which are grown for a single season for bedding, borders or pots and containers. Some may survive winter or self-seed
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a well-drained soil in a sunny position
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in late spring and plant out into flowering positions in the autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Bedding
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- 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
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