Green Trick Orchid
Dianthus barbatus 'Green Trick' ('Temarisou')
Green Trick is a remarkable Japanese-bred cultivar of Sweet William famed for its dense, globular heads of feathery lime-green sepals that resemble a fluffy moss ball. It contains no visible petals and symbolizes freshness, creativity, and quiet sophistication.
Caryophyllaceae (Pink / Carnation family)
Late spring through autumn (May–November); exceptionally long-flowering
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: calceolaria unifloras and anigozanthoss also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Green Trick was developed in Japan, where it quickly became one of the most prized novelty cut flowers in the world — celebrated for its complete absence of conventional petals and its remarkable resemblance to a ball of decorative moss or a botanical artwork. In Japan, where flower arrangement (ikebana) is a refined art form, Green Trick's sculptural, unconventional form perfectly embodies the aesthetic principle of appreciating quiet, unusual beauty. Green flowers in the language of flowers traditionally represent renewal, growth, good fortune, and harmony with nature — making Green Trick a symbol of natural creativity and original thinking.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; best flowering and strongest stems in full sun
Water
Consistent moisture during the growing season; avoid waterlogging. Deadhead or cut regularly to maintain vigor and promote new growth.
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile, Moist, Slightly alkaline to neutral (pH 6.5–7.5)
Expert Growing Tips
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun for the strongest, longest stems
Water regularly but avoid waterlogging, which causes root rot
Cut stems regularly for arrangements — this encourages more flower heads
Deadhead spent heads promptly to extend the blooming season significantly
Propagate from softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer
In cooler climates, mulch the base in autumn to protect the root crown over winter
Can be grown as a short-lived perennial or treated as an annual/biennial depending on the climate
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Cut flower arrangements and bouquets — lasts 2–3 weeks in a vase
- Wedding and event floristry for its unique texture and long vase life
- Garden borders and container plantings for season-long green interest
- Dried flower arrangements — retains color and shape well when air-dried
- Floral design accent for texture and contrast
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Green Trick Orchid
Is Green Trick a real orchid?
No — despite the popular name "Green Trick Orchid," this plant is not an orchid at all. It is a cultivar of Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William) in the carnation family. The name "orchid" in its common name refers to its exotic, unusual appearance, not its botanical classification.
What is the Green Trick flower made of?
Green Trick's distinctive ball-shaped head is composed entirely of densely packed, finely cut green sepals — the outermost floral parts. Unlike most Dianthus flowers, it produces no visible petals, which gives it a unique, feathery moss-ball appearance that has made it famous in floristry worldwide.
How long does Green Trick last in a vase?
Green Trick is prized by florists for its exceptional vase life — it typically lasts 2 to 3 weeks in a vase when stems are cut cleanly and water is changed regularly. It also dries beautifully, retaining its shape and green color when air-dried.
Where did Green Trick originate?
Green Trick (Dianthus barbatus 'Temarisou') was bred in Japan, where it was developed as a novelty cut flower cultivar. It has since become one of the most sought-after specialty flowers in the international cut flower and wedding floristry markets.
What does the color green mean in flowers?
Green flowers traditionally symbolize renewal, growth, good fortune, and harmony with nature. In the context of Green Trick specifically, its pure, vibrant green color also conveys freshness, creativity, and a calm, sophisticated energy — particularly valued in modern and minimalist floral design.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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