Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii ‘Zebra Crossing’
ZEBRA CROSSING DIANTHUS
Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii ‘Zebra Crossing’ gives very striking flowers.
Unusually striped with black and white, just as the name suggests.
Frilly doubles laced with black & white
Charming ‘Zebra Crossing’ produces large frilly double Carnation-like flowers, laced with surprising black and white, velvety markings and ruffled in form.
Even the petal edges are fringed as if cut by pinking shears.
So ‘Zebra Crossing’ flowers really are showstoppers – for both colour and scent.
Sweetly fragrant with a sumptuous clove scent
The blooms of ‘Zebra Crossing’ have an intoxicating perfume, strong and sweetly scented, with a spicy hint of cloves.
So the blooms are perfectly able to fragrance a room from a small posy, or waft their sweet scent through the summer garden.
Superb cut flowers for a fragrant bouquet or vase
Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii ‘Zebra Crossing’ also provides superb cut flowers, with stems long enough to use in both bouquets and vases and lasting well in a vase.
‘Zebra Crossing’ blooms are particularly useful for giving contrast to bridal bouquets and table arrangements as well as giving that wonderful scent.
Easily grown in sun & heat
Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii ‘Zebra Crossing’ is also very useful for gardeners with exposed, sunny sites and well drained soil.
Including sandy and rocky sites and coastal conditions.
Plus they really appreciate plenty of lime.
These plants just relish a sunny, open, breezy spot and so are beloved by seaside gardeners and those with pots to decorate.
‘Zebra Crossing’ thrives in pots to give an arresting show.
Water-wise sun lovers
Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii ‘Zebra Crossing’ is gentle on the water bill and can thrive on minimal extra watering.
Edible flowers for both flavour and decoration in cooking
The petals of Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii ‘Zebra Crossing’ are delightfully, deliciously edible.
They add a sweet, spicy clove flavour to salads, stir-fries, soups, sauces, jams and cakes.
As well as making an eye-catching edible garnish when used fresh.
To prepare – the petals can be plucked or cut from the flower, and the flavour is sweeter if the base of the petals is cut off.
30cm High in fragrant flowers x 30cm Wide, neat clump of foliage.
Dianthus chinensis var. heddewigii ‘Zebra Crossing’ is a hardy, easy, and quick growing annual, giving a great show for the summer and autumn months.
SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suits beginners & gardening with kids
Sow at any time of year in a punnet indoors, or scatter in the garden in early spring.
Sow indoors for early plants:
First sow the seed in a punnet on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the mix to ensure good contact.
Now barely cover the seeds with sieved mix or fine sandy grit, because these seeds need light to germinate.
Now stand the sown punnet in a shallow water bath and allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.
Drain, then place the moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position position (but not in any direct sunlight).
Covering with a clear plastic lid will help keep the surface consistently moist.
Continue to keep the sown punnet moist by misting from a spray water bottle.
Temperatures of 18-22°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
So you can use a heated mat, if you have one, to maintain warm temperatures.
However it is not essential as these seeds are willing germinators given necessary temperatures.
So a warm place will also do nicely.
Seedlings emerge in approx. 7-14 days.
Seed Count: 45 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).
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