Heirloom

Chabaud Picotee Double Mix

Dianthus caryophyllus

Photo: Acabashi · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Vintage carnations present the sweet and spicy fragrance of clove. Frilly 1 1/2-2" double blooms with a small percentage of singles. Striped, flaked, and picotee types in shades of rose, pink, wine, salmon, cream, and white. Grass-like, gray or blue-green foliage. Blooms late July through August in our trials and is best grown as an annual for cut-flower production. Chabaud is an old-fashioned type dating back to as early as 1904. D. caryophyllus is native to the Mediterranean, where emotional attachment to this flower first took root. Also known as annual carnation. Pronounced shab-o, with a long "o." Tender perennial in Zones 6-8. Edible Flowers: Use the flower petals to garnish salads, desserts, soups, icing, and cold drinks. Flavor is of mild clove. Remove the petals from the flower base before consuming as the base can be quite bitter.

Harvest

130-140d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

6–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-4 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Chabaud Picotee Double Mix in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Chabaud Picotee Double Mix · Zones 6–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, neutral to slightly alkaline

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; do not allow to dry out completely

SeasonTender Perennial

FlavorMild clove flavor with sweet and spicy fragrance characteristics.

ColorRose, pink, wine, salmon, cream, and white with striped and picotee markings

Size1 1/2-2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Chabaud Picotee is a tender perennial — it'll overwinter in zones 7–9 if you don't get a brutal freeze, but in production settings it's most commonly grown as an annual. That means you're not doing tight succession sowings the way you would with lettuce or radishes. One sowing per season is the norm: start seed indoors in February or March (7–14 days to germination at 65–70°F), then transplant out in April or May after your last frost date. The 130–140 days to first bloom means a February indoor start gets you flowers by late June or early July.

If you want a longer cutting window, start a second flat in late March and transplant those in mid-May. You'll get a staggered bloom flush rather than everything peaking at once — useful if you're supplying a CSA or selling at market. Don't push transplants into the ground past early June; plants going in the soil after that won't have enough time to establish and set buds before Georgia's peak heat shuts them down.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Type: Capsule.

Edibility: Flowers are edible.

Storage & Preservation

Store cut Chabaud carnations in a clean vase with fresh, cool water (35-40°F is ideal) in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. They can last 10-14 days with proper care. For preservation, air-dry the blooms by hanging them upside down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual petals between parchment paper under weights for 1-2 weeks to preserve them for crafts or culinary garnish. For extended storage, refrigerate stems at 35-40°F with high humidity and change water every 2-3 days.

History & Origin

Origin: Mediterranean area but exact range unknown

Advantages

+Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Moths
+Edible: Flowers are edible.

Considerations

-Toxic: Low severity

Companion Plants

Lavender and Dusty Miller are the two I'd prioritize planting close to Chabaud Picotee. Both are drought-tolerant once established and won't compete aggressively for water — which matters here because dianthus needs consistent moisture and you don't want a thirsty neighbor pulling from the same shallow root zone. Marigolds and chives pull double duty: marigolds deter thrips and aphids with their scent, and chives have shown mild fungal-suppression effects around susceptible ornamentals. In our zone 7 Georgia summers, where humidity makes Carnation rust a genuine seasonal threat, anything that discourages soft-bodied pest pressure without adding canopy density is worth the bed space.

Keep Black Walnut trees and fennel well away. Black Walnut roots produce juglone — a compound that interferes with respiration in a wide range of plants, dianthus included — and the affected root zone can extend well past the tree's drip line. Fennel is a different problem: it bolts fast, goes tall, and physically shades out lower-growing ornamentals before you realize it's happening. Mint is mostly a spacing issue rather than a chemical one, but it spreads by runner so aggressively that it'll crowd your carnations out of the bed within a single growing season.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Chives

Deter aphids and other soft-bodied insects with their strong scent

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and other garden pests

Dusty Miller

Provides excellent foliage contrast and similar growing requirements

Bachelor's Buttons

Attract beneficial insects and have similar care requirements

Marigolds

Repel aphids, thrips, and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting carnations

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill carnations

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of most garden plants

Mint

Aggressive spreading nature competes for nutrients and space

Large Sunflowers

Create excessive shade and compete heavily for soil nutrients and water

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Carnation rust mite, spider mites, aphids, thrips

Diseases

Carnation rust, Fusarium wilt, bacterial leaf spot, gray mold

Troubleshooting Chabaud Picotee Double Mix

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Orange or rust-colored powdery pustules on leaves and stems, usually appearing in humid stretches

Likely Causes

Carnation rust (Uromyces dianthi) — a fungal disease that spreads via airborne spores and thrives when foliage stays wet overnight
Overcrowding at less than 12-inch spacing, which traps humidity around the stems

What to Do

1.Remove and trash (don't compost) any infected leaves or stems immediately
2.Water at the base only — drip or soaker hose rather than overhead sprinklers — and water in the morning so the soil surface dries before dark
3.If it spreads despite that, apply a sulfur-based fungicide on a 7-day interval, following label rates

Plant wilts during the day even when the soil is moist, lower stem looks brown or water-soaked at the base

Likely Causes

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi) — a soil-borne fungus that blocks vascular tissue; once it's in a plant, it doesn't come back out
Poor drainage or repeated overhead watering that keeps the crown wet

What to Do

1.Pull the plant and dispose of it in the trash — don't compost it, and don't replant dianthus in that same spot for at least 3 seasons
2.Work in 2-3 inches of compost before replanting, and raise the bed 4-6 inches if water tends to pool there after rain
3.Source transplants or seed from reputable suppliers; Fusarium can travel on infected cuttings

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Chabaud carnations last in a vase?▼

With proper care, Chabaud carnations can last 10-14 days in a vase. Keep them in cool water (35-40°F), change the water every 2-3 days, trim the stems at an angle, and remove any foliage below the waterline. Remove flowers as they fade to encourage longer-lasting blooms. Keeping them away from ripening fruit and direct sunlight also extends their vase life.

Are Chabaud carnations good for beginners?▼

Yes, Chabaud carnations are excellent for beginner gardeners. They're classified as easy to grow and are best grown as annuals for cut-flower production. They thrive in full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours) and require minimal care. Their heirloom status and reliable blooming from late July through August make them a forgiving choice for new growers interested in cut flowers.

Can you grow Chabaud carnations in containers?▼

Yes, Chabaud carnations can be grown in containers. Use well-draining soil and ensure pots are at least 8-10 inches deep. Place containers in locations receiving 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Container-grown carnations may need more frequent watering than in-ground plants. Containers should have drainage holes and be positioned away from wind, which can damage the frilly blooms.

What does a Chabaud carnation taste like?▼

Chabaud carnation petals have a mild clove flavor, reflecting the sweet and spicy fragrance of the whole flower. The petals are edible and can garnish salads, desserts, soups, icing, and cold drinks. However, remove petals from the flower base before consuming, as the base can be quite bitter. Use them sparingly for a subtle spice note in dishes.

When should I plant Chabaud carnation seeds?▼

Start Chabaud carnation seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date, or direct sow after the last frost has passed. They germinate in 7-14 days under proper conditions. Given their late July through August blooming period in trials, early spring planting ensures strong plants ready to flower during peak season. These are tender perennials best grown as annuals.

What makes Chabaud carnations special compared to modern carnations?▼

Chabaud carnations are an old-fashioned heirloom type dating back to 1904, prized for their strong, sweet and spicy clove fragrance—a trait largely lost in modern commercial carnations. Their frilly double blooms and vintage color range (rose, pink, wine, salmon, cream, white with stripes and picotees) offer nostalgic charm. They're smaller-flowered and more fragrant than modern varieties, making them ideal for cut-flower arrangements and edible flower applications.