Planting Sweet William Flowers

Growing Dianthus barbatus

Discover the joy of gardening with Sweet William flowers. Instructions for planting Dianthus barbatus from seed. Sweet Williams photos and pruning tips.

Sweet Williams Photo

Sweet Williams flowers appear in fragrant white, pink, or crimson clusters (some selections are bi-colored) atop mounds of bright green foliage to 24 inches high. There are dwarf selections that hug the ground at 4 inches tall. Dianthus barbatus barbarini grows 6-8 inches tall and blooms in its first year.

The leaves are sword-shaped, 3-5 inches long by half an inch wide. They cover the plant's knees well.

How to Grow Sweet William

Buy Dianthus 'Heart Attack'
from: Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

Plants can be grown from seed or transplants. Burpee sweet William seed is a mix of white, pink, and crimson blooms that grows to 18 inches tall.

Dianthus Sweet William appreciates rich, well draining soil in full sun. Sprinkle a little horticultural lime over the bed prior to setting the transplants out.

If you plant a bed full of them, they will infuse your whole yard with their perfume in the spring.

Sweet William seed can be direct sown in the fall in zones 7-11. Above zone 7, sow Dianthus seed in early spring.

Sweet Williams plants will reseed if the last blooms of the season are allowed to remain on the plants.

Pruning Sweet Williams Flowers

Deadheading the plants after each flush of bloom will keep them blooming later into the growing season.

If you want Dianthus barbatus to reseed, leave the last flush of blooms in place in the fall. If you don't, continue deadheading them until frost.

Buy Dianthus

Buy Cheap Sweet William Flowers, Our Color Choice

Velvet N Lace The blooms of this easy-to-grow perennial are a striking velvety purple to deep burgundy with white ruffled edges.

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