Chabaud Picotee Fantasy is a classic carnation that brings Victorian charm to modern gardens. This heirloom cultivar grows to a neat 24 inches tall with silvery-green foliage and produces long-stemmed flowers from June through August, reaching bloom in 112 to 140 days from seed. Hardy in zone 7, it rewards patient gardeners with cut flowers that hold their beauty for weeks indoors, while naturally resisting deer and tolerating dry spells.
6
Full Sun
Moderate
7-7
24in H x 12in W
—
High
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The picotee fantasy carnation captivates with its frilly, ruffled petals edged in contrasting colors, a hallmark of the historic Chabaud line. These cut flowers emerge on sturdy, 24-inch stems perfect for bouquets, and the plants attract pollinators throughout the long summer bloom season. Growing this heirloom takes patience, expect 16 to 20 weeks from seed to first flowers, but the reward is reliable, fragrant blooms year after year in zone 7 gardens.
Chabaud Picotee Fantasy carnations excel as cut flowers. Their long, sturdy stems and long vase life make them ideal for fresh bouquets, both in professional floristry and home arrangements. The delicate picotee petal edges add texture and visual interest to mixed flower displays, and the plants' steady production throughout summer ensures a reliable supply of blooms for indoor enjoyment.
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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 in 7 to 14 days, then move seedlings to a cooler location (50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit) to develop sturdy growth. Transplant outdoors after hardening off once frost danger has passed.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days, then transplant at the last frost date. Space 6 inches apart in full sun. In warm winter zones (8-9), direct sow in late summer for flowers the following year.
Direct sow seeds at the last frost date where hardy. In warm winter areas (zones 8-9), sow in late summer for flowers the following year and potential overwintering as a perennial.
Cut flowers when the blooms are fully open but still fresh, preferably in early morning when stems are hydrated. Cut at an angle just above a leaf node to encourage branching and additional flower production. The long stems hold beautifully in water for two to three weeks indoors.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming throughout the summer season. Pinch back young plants when 4 to 6 inches tall to promote bushier, more compact growth and increased flower production.
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“The Chabaud carnation represents a pivotal moment in flower breeding history. Developed in the late 1800s by the French Chabaud family through decades of careful selection, this line became prized across Europe for its refined form and reliable performance. The picotee fantasy strain carries forward that legacy, preserving the genetic work of generations who valued both the botanical perfection of the flower and its practical vigor as a garden plant. Heirloom growers and seed savers continue cultivating this variety to maintain its presence in contemporary gardens.”