Giant Chabaud Enfant De Nice

Family: Caryophyllaceae Herbaceous flowering plant

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Giant Chabaud Enfant De Nice to a garden.

Fragrant, ruffled blooms unfurl in abundance—each petal edged like fine lace, carrying a luminous glow that feels almost candlelit in the garden.

Giant Chabaud Enfant De Nice forms sturdy, upright stems that hold their showy character through the season, with a richly textured surface and a classic carnation presence that’s equally striking in beds and borders or as a long-lasting cut. Grow it for its grand, celebratory flowers and dependable perennial performance, then enjoy the way it turns every sunny corner into a living bouquet.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Giant Chabaud Enfant De Nice

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Giant Chabaud Enfant De Nice Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Apr 6th	Jun 8th	Oct 6th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Mar 23rd	May 25th	Sep 22nd – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	May 18th	Sep 15th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 8th	Sep 5th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 8th	Sep 5th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 12th	Sep 9th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 8th	Sep 5th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 6th	Sep 3rd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 1st	Aug 29th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Apr 27th	Aug 25th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Apr 24th	Aug 22nd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 18th	Aug 16th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 13th	Aug 11th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 3rd	Aug 1st – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Mar 25th	Jul 23rd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 14th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Feb 27th	Jun 27th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 2nd	Jun 2nd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Even though it’s a carnation, this type leans strongly aromatic—use the petals like a delicate spice: steep for scent or sugar for a clean crunch. Keep it light on sweetness so the clove-tinged perfume doesn’t take over.

Best Uses

crystalized or sugared petals for cake and pastry garnish
infuse milk or cream for floral-scented custards and ice cream
tear fresh petals into fruit salads and summer drinks for perfumed color
steep petals into syrups for cocktails or panna cotta

Flavor Profile

fragrant, sweetly spicy clove-like notes lightly peppery finish petals feel silky with a faint snap at the edge

Kitchen Pairings

dark chocolate honey vanilla lemon zest strawberries almonds

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Dianthus caryophyllus (carnations) like Giant Chabaud, and how do I prevent it?

A frequent issue is fungal leaf spot/botrytis (grey mold), especially when leaves stay wet and airflow is poor. Water at the soil line, avoid getting foliage wet, and remove any spotted or dead leaves promptly; space plants to keep the canopy open. If you see recurring spotting or grey growth, apply a labeled fungicide for ornamental carnations according to the label and improve air circulation immediately.

How often should I water Dianthus caryophyllus during peak growth (roughly weeks 4–10) to keep it healthy?

During active growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for the top 1 inch to dry slightly between waterings. In typical home gardens this often works out to about 1–2 deep waterings per week, but adjust for heat and soil texture; sandy soils need more frequent deep soaking, heavy soils less. Mulch helps stabilize moisture, but never let mulch sit against the crown.

How can I tell when Giant Chabaud Enfant De Nice (Dianthus caryophyllus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when flower buds are fully colored and just about to open—petals should be formed but not yet fully flared. For best vase quality, cut early in the morning and choose stems with firm buds (avoid blooms that are already past opening or browning at the edges). With carnations, continue harvesting regularly to encourage additional flowering until the plants decline with cold or heat stress.