500 Seeds

Grow a gothic themed garden with the King of Blacks Carnation, from freshly harvested Dianthus caryophyllus seeds. King of Blacks is an excellent choice in front of a white fence, because its deep red flowers will create an eye popping contrast. The blooms are roughly 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, opening up to expose rows and rows of frilly petals. Each plant will grow to a mature height of roughly 18 to 24 inches tall, flowering through the summer months.

Dianthus caryophyllus is commonly known as a Clove Carnation due to its clove like scent and can be used in insectaries and butterfly gardens. Their distinctive smell will attract an array of beneficial insects to the garden, such as butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees & hummingbirds as well. King of Blacks can be mixed with other varieties of Clove Carnations to produce a colorful mixture, or can even be added with the Grenadin White variety, to create a contrasting blend of black and white. Because of their somewhat shorter growth habit, you can place Clove Carnations in many settings of the garden. They can be used in flower beds, raised beds, pots & containers or even used as border plants. King of Blacks will make an excellent cut flower for many fresh bouquets and floral arrangements too!

Categorized as an annual flowering plant, the King of Blacks Carnation will grow quickly, producing its green leaves and deep red flowers for a few short weeks. The plants later die with the first frost, but can regrow the following year if the seeds manage to fall to the bare ground beneath. You can also collect the seeds from spent blooms at the end of the Autumn season to regrow this beautiful flowering plant the following season.

Quick Facts

• Type: Flower
• Color: Deep Scarlet
• Height: 12" - 24" Tall
• Width: 12" - 14" Spread
• Season: Annual / Tender Perennial
• Zones: 1 to 10
• Environment: Full sun
• Uses: Flower beds, along walkways, borders or driveways. Great as a cut flower in fresh and dried bouquets.

Sowing The Seed

Clove Carnation seeds are best established in starter pots, for transplanting outdoors later on. Start in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost. Sow 3 to 4 seeds per pot, at a depth of 1/16" under topsoil. The seeds will require a bit of direct light to properly germinate, so it is recommended that you do not bury the seeds. Transplant entire pots, or direct sow in the garden when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed.

Growing Conditions

Carnations will thrive in an area of full sunlight for at least 5 to 6 hours daily. The temperatures should be at least 70F and the soil will need to be fertile, yet well drained. To increase your drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to any areas that consist of hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily, with a mist setting, so that the soil remains moist until germination has occurred.

Germination & Growth

Your Carnation seeds will typically take anywhere between 7 and 21 days to germinate successfully. The plants will reach a mature height of roughly 12 to 24 inches tall and can be spaced 12 inches apart from one another. Grenadin Rose will produce 1.5 to 2 inch, double blooms in a rosy pink coloring. The plants release a refreshing clove like scent, attracting an array of beneficial insects to the garden.