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Key characteristics

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Height: 12-18 inches
Width: 6-12 inches
Flower color: Deep red to maroon
Foliage color: Dark purple to almost black
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate, prefers well-drained soil
Maintenance: Low
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Perennials

Dianthus barbatus ‘Sooty’

Sweet William ‘Sooty’

Dianthus barbatus 'Sooty', commonly known as Sweet William 'Sooty', is a striking biennial or short-lived perennial prized for its unique dark foliage and rich, velvety flowers. This cultivar features almost black leaves and stems that create a dramatic contrast with its deep red to maroon flowers, which are about 1 inch in diameter and slightly fragrant, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Blooming from late spring to early summer, 'Sooty' offers a vibrant display for several weeks.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate, prefers well-drained soil

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Cottage Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Containers

Companion plants

Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Columbines

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.