Dianthus barbatus (Nigrescens Group) 'Sooty'

Also Known As

Dianthus barbatus 'Sooty'
Dianthus barbatus nigrescens 'Sooty'
Sweet William

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

H: 12"-18"
W: 9"-12"

planting zones

4a-10b

More Options

Dianthus barbatus (Nigrescens Group) 'Sooty' plant details

Dianthus barbatus (Nigrescens Group) 'Sooty' is a broadleaf evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial groundcover with black and burgundy foliage. In summer burgundy and chocolate flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Dianthus barbatus (Nigrescens Group) 'Sooty'

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: caryophyllaceae
Foliage: evergreen or semi-evergreen black and burgundy
Mature size: 9 IN - 12 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: burgundy and chocolate blooms in summer
Uses: border plant, container plant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Dianthus barbatus (Nigrescens Group) 'Sooty'

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Dianthus barbatus nigrescens ‘Sooty’ is a low-branching, herbaceous perennial that displays clusters of deep ruby-red, fragrant flowers on sturdy stems. Shear lightly after flowering to maintain a dense, tidy habit. Sweet William grows best in well-drained, gravelly soil that is not wet in winter. Drought tolerant. Requires little water once established.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

A velvety dark chocolate ganache of a flower, with edible petals to use as a garnish if you wish, this sweet William has green pointed foliage that matures a dark bronzy green. Blooming the first year from a late winter sowing indoors they are perfect for interplanting with red sweet Williams in the early summer cottage garden."

By: Select Seeds

This is for the black flower fancier! Densely packed heads of chocolate-maroon flowers on red stems. Mature foliage turns from mid-green to mahogany. Worth adding to the early summer colour at the front of the border. Will be incredible with yellows or blue-greens.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A dense, tufted perennial, forming compact mounds of dark green, purple-black tinted foliage. Flat clusters of near black flowers with white stamens are produced on straight, leafy, stems in spring.Thrives on poor soil and is reasonably tolerant of dry conditions.Lower growing than D. 'Nigrescens'.One of the blackest of flowers.

By: Zephs

One of our favorite Sweet Williams, this is notable for the foliage which turns maroon-black after a month or so and provides the perfect foil for the velvety maroon clustered flowers which smells of chocolate in warm weather - damn! Cut back after flowering for another go around.

By: Far Reaches Farm

Highly recommended! This beautiful, long-lived Dianthus makes a low mat of dense leaves that turn the darkest maroon-black after a month or two. Darkest, velvety maroon flowers are tightly held in clusters, 4” - 5” on erect, 10” - 12” tall stems. In warm, sunny weather the flowers positively reek of chocolate! Very long blooming too. Cut back after flowers are spent, to quickly produce another wave. Does not die in our warm, wet winters! Excellent cut flowers. Rich, well-drained soil is best.