Black Velvet and Lace China Pink is a stunning heirloom Dianthus that brings dramatic contrast to spring and summer gardens with its distinctive two-toned flowers. This compact cultivar grows just 14 inches tall and blooms reliably from March through August in zones 7, delivering 98 to 112 days of color from seed to first bloom. Deer leave it alone, drought doesn't faze it once established, and pollinators visit constantly, making it both beautiful and functional in any sunny border.
6
Full Sun
Moderate
7-7
14in H x 12in W
—
High
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The flowers live up to their name with deep velvet petals edged in delicate lace-like patterns, creating an almost hand-painted appearance. At just 14 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide, this heirloom performs equally well in garden beds, containers, or cutting gardens without demanding special treatment. The combination of low-nitrogen feeding, moderate watering, and good air circulation produces months of continuous bloom without the fussiness of more demanding annuals.
This is a cut flower and ornamental garden plant, treasured for its striking bicolor blooms that add visual interest to fresh arrangements or as living color in borders. The long bloom window and deer resistance make it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking season-long display without constant maintenance or replanting.
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Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit until germination occurs, which typically takes 7 to 14 days. Once seedlings emerge, drop the temperature to 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent leggy growth.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed slightly. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting in the garden.
In early spring as soon as soil is workable, direct sow seeds into prepared beds. In zones 8 and 9 with mild winters, you can also direct sow in fall for winter flowering.
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“This cultivar belongs to the Heddewigii group of Dianthus chinensis, a strain that gained prominence in Victorian gardens for its frilled, colorful flowers and compact form. The Heddewigii types were prized by heirloom seed savers and gardeners who valued their ability to flower reliably from seed in a single season while maintaining the ornamental drama of more complex pinks. By preserving and naming varieties like Black Velvet and Lace, seed catalogs kept these charming garden gems alive through generations of home gardeners.”