Sweet William
Sweet Black Cherry Dianthus is an F1 hybrid that brings sophisticated, deep color to the cutting garden. This cool-season flower produces high-quality blooms ideal for commercial floristry and home arrangements, reaching maturity in 100, 105 days. Hardy in zones 6, 8, it thrives in containers and garden beds alike, rewarding gardeners with stunning cut flowers when grown in the crisp temperatures it craves.
—
Moderate
6-8
?in H x ?in W
Perennial
High
Hover over chart points for details
This is a flower bred for the cutting industry, which means you're growing something that professional florists and commercial growers depend on. The 'Black Cherry' name hints at the rich, deep coloring that sets it apart from typical dianthus varieties. It's remarkably adaptable, equally at home in a gallon container on a patio or in a field destined for a farmer's market bouquet. What truly distinguishes it is its preference for cool conditions; while other flowers struggle in heat, this one actually thrives when temperatures stay between 50, 55°F, producing sturdy, well-branched stems that are perfect for cutting.
Sweet Black Cherry Dianthus is specifically developed as an excellent commercial cut flower, making it the choice for gardeners who want to grow flowers for markets, weddings, or serious home arrangements. It's equally suitable for gallon container production with one plant per container, so whether you're running a small home cutting garden or thinking about scaling up to containers for sale, this variety performs at both scales.
Sow seed 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost, pressing seeds lightly into the growing medium without covering them. Keep germination temperatures on the cool side to support healthy seedling development. Transplant into cell packs or 3–4 inch containers about 20–25 days after sowing. This timing ensures sturdy transplants ready for the garden.
Transplant out 6–8 weeks after sowing, after hardening off to outdoor conditions. Space plants 6 inches apart. The cool conditions of spring are ideal — aim for soil that has warmed slightly from winter but before intense summer heat arrives.
Direct seed in early spring when light frost is still possible. This timing takes advantage of the cool soil temperatures that dianthus seeds prefer.
Harvest for cutting when approximately 10, 20% of flowers in the cluster or spray are open. This timing ensures the blooms have maximum vase life ahead. Cut stems in the early morning when they're most turgid, using sharp scissors to make clean cuts just above a leaf node.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.