Grenadin King of Blacks Carnation

“Grenadin King of Blacks” is a dark-flowered Dianthus caryophyllus carnation for sunny borders and cutting gardens. The [Eden Brothers listing](https://www.edenbrothers.com/products/king-of-blacks-carnation-seeds) describes the Grenadin selection as upright and summer-blooming at about 24 inches; the [RHS International Dianthus Register](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/dianthus-register-and-checklist-2016-3rd-ed.pdf) describes a “King of the Blacks” entry with double, rich dark-purple flowers and shallowly toothed margins. ## Flowers and garden use The dark purple-to-black flowers bring strong contrast among pale blooms and foliage. Use upright stems in a cutting bed, or plant a small group in a sunny border. Height is reported as about 0.5 m in the RHS register and 24 inches in the seed listing, so allow roughly 20–24 inches of space. ## Growing conditions For Dianthus caryophyllus, the [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/5707/dianthus-caryophyllus/details) recommends full sun and well-drained soil. The Grenadin seed listing also allows partial shade. A freely draining container mix or garden bed suits this carnation. ## Maintenance Deadhead faded flowers regularly to prolong flowering and keep stems useful for cutting. Avoid waterlogged soil, especially in pots, and remove any fading flower stems as the display passes.