Dianthus barbatus ‘Sooty’ with dark-leaved Angelica sylvestris ‘Vicar’s Mead’ in background
Small seedlings of the biennial Dianthus barbatus 'Sooty' were planted out last fall, and I'm happy to report it really lives up to its name. When the garden was new I used a lot of Dianthus barbatus 'Oeschberg,' a bright magenta, to cover all that bare ground, so I realized early on with the Oregon garden how invaluable this old-fashioned dianthus can be in late spring. And this biennial loves the growing conditions here, cool and wet, deep soil, so they bloom for months. There's still a few 'Oeschberg' dianthus in dwindling numbers, so they do seem to act as short-lived perennials here. Starting fresh from seed mid-summer is the best bet, but cuttings can be taken too. I might try cuttings with 'Sooty.'
These dianthus are well known as cut flowers too. For me the fragrance of this variety is very light/nonexistent.
My seeds came from Chiltern's in the UK. (A federal Permit to Import Plant Products is required, and I need to reapply. I think it lasts for five years.) I also started a white form that's just starting to bloom on the east side, which was newly dug so still lots of bare ground to cover. Weird that I chose the extreme ends of the spectrum, white and dark. I might use the white mostly as a cut flower. I'd hate to cut 'Sooty' from the garden. I saw masses of mixed color Sweet Williams recently at Old Germantown Gardens, including a peachy-pink strain 'Newport Pink,' all of which would be great for cutting. For the garden I prefer the dark single color strains like 'Oeschberg' and 'Sooty.'
Long-stemmed Dianthus barbatus ‘Sooty’ with Verbascum phlomoides
Small seedlings of Verbascum phlomoides were also planted last fall. It's an intriguing sight as it twists and elongates a flower bud. This newly planted area, maybe 4x4,' previously grew Persicaria polymorpha which stretches to 5x5 by summer. After the persicaria's removal and relocation, there was a lot of bare ground in fall for planting. Biennials are great for such temporary opportunities, because they're something to watch early in spring, whereas annuals won't be a presence until July at the earliest here at coast.
Centaurea macrocephala, the basket flower, is also at its most intriguing as it twirls and spins into flower
More twistiness from Centaurea macrocephala, the Bighead Knapweed. Digging Dog Nursery describes it well: "An overgrown, sun-struck relative of the Bachelor Button, this “big-headed” native of the Caucasus Mountains has so many good qualities you’ll soon be inviting it into your garden. A medium green, rowdy mass of oversized, wavy-edged lanceolate leaves attached to stout stems gives way to intriguing, rust-colored buds as big as a chicken’s egg. Scaled by papery bracts, the bud’s rotund profile opens to offer a large, bright yellow thistle, a cheerful mop of thread-like petals bursting with sunshine and color."
the brown bracts or “basket” striptease to reveal a yellow Sweet Sultan-type flower. Like a lot of herbaceous perennials, the drama is all in the shape-shifting transformations.
There's three close to the back fence, which may be two too many because these are large plants, at least 3x3.' The seedlings were discovered one autumn growing in the thatch of the "basket," the seedhead, and a few were pried free and potted up, now growing in my garden. I wonder if this is common or done by any other plant? The mother plant is still flourishing in a nearby commercial strip with no signs of other seedlings nearby.
Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ with great form, small flowers. I prefer it to ‘Blackbeard,’ whose dark leaves are slightly larger in size, with more congested flowering. I prefer the elegant outline of ‘Dark Towers.’
Along with Dianthus barbatus 'Sooty,' I can't stop adding dark notes to the garden, like dark-leaved penstemon and angelica, Anthriscus 'Ravenswing.' (And a new Astilbe 'Chocolate Shogun.') The earlier they show leaves in spring, the better. I know too much variegation can get a little hectic, and I use it sparingly, but I haven't found a limit yet to the dark side of planting.
The dark leaves really emphasize penstemon’s opposite leaf arrangement, like a flock of dark birds taking flight
Billie striking a somber pose, back from a walk to town for Sunday scones. The beschorneria flower stalk has been cut down — I don’t need the seeds and prefer to let the plant rest. Near this end of the stock tank a phalanx of shrubs grew until this spring when they were taken out. Hebe ‘New Zealand Gold, Phlomis monocephala, Ozothamnus x cassinia, all glorious, all needing too much pruning for size here. The potted tetrapanax is the last of the beast taken out last year. No new sprouts in the garden this spring, knock wood. Small gardens need defending!
Billie’s expression looks exactly like your statement “Small gardens need defending!” Your seed choice is wonderful. I haven’t heard of ‘Sooty’ before, the dark spikiness of it is fabulous. It can go anywhere. Bighead Knapweed, woah I’m in love with it. You’ve got some great textures and layers going on here, beautiful!
I was offered seedlings of Dianthus ‘Spooky’ yesterday and I politely declined, when I saw the title of your post I thought “oh no! I’m going to regret not taking them” but of course they are different plants. That Centaurea macrocephala… wow!
Yikes… looks like I forgot to call myself by my proper name! with that last comment, here I’ll try again…I was offered seedlings of Dianthus ‘Spooky’ yesterday and I politely declined, when I saw the title of your post I thought “oh no! I’m going to regret not taking them” but of course they are different plants. That Centaurea macrocephala… wow!
I thought I’d seen ‘Sooty’ before but it didn’t ring a familiar note when I saw yours. I haven’t made up my mind how I feel about it, although I admit it adds a touch of drama. I love that Penstemon.
One can’t have too many dark stems in the garden. To my eyes, they aren’t only fantastic on their own, but also make green foliage around them stand out too.
‘Sooty’ is truly gorgeous, you definitely are more successful growing Sweet William than I am.
There are two Astilbe ‘Chocolate Shogun’ in my garden, grown for their dark foliage. Although they aren’t as happy as other Astilbe that freely seeds around… they are worth the extra effort on my part.
Ha, even big gardens need defending. I love the Centauria but it has become a noxious weed here seeding everywhere. I love Sooty too. It has modestly self seeded in my vegetable garden for many years. I always plant around it. How lucky you have the right conditions for ‘Chocolate Shogu’n. A stunner. Hard to believe your garden isn’t that old yet it looks so mature. Billi agrees
@Tracy, Billie aka the Queen B, is on the job!
@Loree, if I remember correctly you grow a few cut flowers with your veg in the driveway stocktanks?
@Kris, I should do a vase comparison of the three Sweet William varieties in bloom for you.
@Chavli, thanks for the notes on that astilbe needing “extra effort.”
@Elaine, I’ve read online that the centaurea is a weed in some areas. I’ve only seen the one mother plant locally here but will be vigilant. So cool that ‘Sooty’ reseeds for you!
Ah, you’ve got a better form of Sooty than I do. Mine have green leaves. Should have bought from Chiltern, I guess. It’s been a long time since I’ve ordered from them. I used to do it every spring from high school through early college years. They used to be one of the few places I knew of to get some really cool plants. I’ve been looking for that Centaurea for a while now – need to connect with Digging Dog and see if they still have it. Several other similar-ish plants germinate in the seedhead – Telekia, artichoke, and Carlina.
Billie’s expression looks exactly like your statement “Small gardens need defending!” Your seed choice is wonderful. I haven’t heard of ‘Sooty’ before, the dark spikiness of it is fabulous. It can go anywhere. Bighead Knapweed, woah I’m in love with it. You’ve got some great textures and layers going on here, beautiful!
I was offered seedlings of Dianthus ‘Spooky’ yesterday and I politely declined, when I saw the title of your post I thought “oh no! I’m going to regret not taking them” but of course they are different plants. That Centaurea macrocephala… wow!
Yikes… looks like I forgot to call myself by my proper name! with that last comment, here I’ll try again…I was offered seedlings of Dianthus ‘Spooky’ yesterday and I politely declined, when I saw the title of your post I thought “oh no! I’m going to regret not taking them” but of course they are different plants. That Centaurea macrocephala… wow!
I thought I’d seen ‘Sooty’ before but it didn’t ring a familiar note when I saw yours. I haven’t made up my mind how I feel about it, although I admit it adds a touch of drama. I love that Penstemon.
One can’t have too many dark stems in the garden. To my eyes, they aren’t only fantastic on their own, but also make green foliage around them stand out too.
‘Sooty’ is truly gorgeous, you definitely are more successful growing Sweet William than I am.
There are two Astilbe ‘Chocolate Shogun’ in my garden, grown for their dark foliage. Although they aren’t as happy as other Astilbe that freely seeds around… they are worth the extra effort on my part.
Ha, even big gardens need defending. I love the Centauria but it has become a noxious weed here seeding everywhere. I love Sooty too. It has modestly self seeded in my vegetable garden for many years. I always plant around it. How lucky you have the right conditions for ‘Chocolate Shogu’n. A stunner. Hard to believe your garden isn’t that old yet it looks so mature. Billi agrees
@Tracy, Billie aka the Queen B, is on the job!
@Loree, if I remember correctly you grow a few cut flowers with your veg in the driveway stocktanks?
@Kris, I should do a vase comparison of the three Sweet William varieties in bloom for you.
@Chavli, thanks for the notes on that astilbe needing “extra effort.”
@Elaine, I’ve read online that the centaurea is a weed in some areas. I’ve only seen the one mother plant locally here but will be vigilant. So cool that ‘Sooty’ reseeds for you!
Ah, you’ve got a better form of Sooty than I do. Mine have green leaves. Should have bought from Chiltern, I guess. It’s been a long time since I’ve ordered from them. I used to do it every spring from high school through early college years. They used to be one of the few places I knew of to get some really cool plants. I’ve been looking for that Centaurea for a while now – need to connect with Digging Dog and see if they still have it. Several other similar-ish plants germinate in the seedhead – Telekia, artichoke, and Carlina.