Daucus carota 'Dara' is a robust Hardy Annual (H3/H4). While it is technically an ornamental carrot, it is grown specifically for its spectacular, lacy floral umbels rather than its root. It is perfectly adapted for the UK climate, performing exceptionally well from both spring and autumn sowings.

The Ombré Effect: 'Dara' is celebrated for its colour transformation. Individual umbels emerge in soft blush-pink and gradually darken into shades of burgundy and chocolate as they mature. This natural variation ensures that no two stems are identical, providing a rich, layered aesthetic to borders and arrangements alike.

Architectural Seed Heads: Once the flowering period concludes, the umbels fold inwards to create intricate, nest-like seed heads. These provide significant architectural interest in the winter garden and are highly valued as structural elements in dried floral designs, ensuring the plant provides value long after its primary bloom.

'Dara' possesses a long taproot and deeply dislikes root disturbance; for the strongest plants, direct sowing is highly recommended.

How to Sow:
Direct sow outdoors in September or October for the largest plants and earliest summer blooms, or in March to May for a continuous display. Scatter the seeds thinly on the surface of finely raked soil and cover very lightly; the seeds require a small amount of darkness but must not be buried deeply. Germination typically occurs within 14-21 days.

Where to Plant:
They demand full sun and light, free-draining soil. While they are remarkably unfussy once established, they will struggle in heavy, waterlogged clay. If your soil is dense, we recommend growing in raised beds or adding horticultural grit to the sowing area to improve drainage.

Ongoing Care:
The tall, lacy flower heads can become heavy after rainfall. We recommend planting them in tight drifts (30cm apart) so they can support each other, or providing light twiggy supports or horizontal netting to ensure the stems remain perfectly straight for the vase. Regular watering is essential during the early stages until the taproot is established.

The dusky, multi-tonal umbels of 'Dara' work spectacularly with plants that pick up its softer pinks or provide a clean contrast from our range:

• 🌸 Cynoglossum 'Mystery Rose': The Vintage Duo. The dusty, antique pink tones of 'Mystery Rose' (Chinese Forget-me-not) perfectly mirror the softer shades in the 'Dara' ombré cycle. Together, they create an incredibly on-trend, romantic combination that is a favorite in modern floral design.
• ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The Brightener. To prevent a dark border from feeling too heavy, pair the chocolate tones of 'Dara' with the brilliant, silk-white faces of 'Purity' Cosmos. The white acts as a backlight, making the intricate detail of the lace flowers truly stand out.

Direct sow in autumn for the strongest, tallest plants, or in spring for successional waves of ombré lace through the summer.