Daucus 'Chocolate Lace'
Daucus Chocolate Lace - Umbels in the most delicious shades of dusty pink, redy purple and cream, who knew ornamental carrots could be so pretty.
Daucus carota
Approx 30 seeds
Lets talk about them
...
Who’d have ever thought the words elegant and carrot could ever be used in the same sentence? Well here we are. This elegant wild carrot is an absolute must, it compliments any bouquet perfectly. Delicate umbels in shades of dark purple, white and antique pink all on the same flower make this exquisite flower one of my absolute faves.
How to make these beauties grow
...
Sow: Autumn or indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost
How: Surface sow and cover lightly. Soil blocking highly recommended as daucus forms a taproot (because, you know, wild carrot) and doesn’t like being transplanted.
Space: 20-30cm
Height 1m+
Where: Full Sun
Days to maturity: 75 - 120 days
Pick: When the flowers are all fully open and the umbel is lying flat. Don’t be tempted to pick early otherwise the flowers may wilt. 7 days vase life
Hardy Annual
Notes from the garden
...
Autumn sown plants are considerably taller and more robust. I prefer autumn sowing (partly becuase spring is so busy its 1 less seed variety to sow). If germination is slow and patchy try cold stratifying. plant at least 5+ plants to get a full range of the colour spectrum.
If allowed to set seed the flower pods add a real structural element to any floral or bouquet work.
Photo: Barrhill Blooms