Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William)

Dianthus barbatus Photo/Illustration: Alain Charest


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Dianthus barbatus dy-ANN-thus bar-BAT-us Common Name: Sweet William Genus: Dianthus
These short-lived perennials or biennials are charming plants, and are worth their weight in gold in the cottage border. After flowering, the attractive foliage holds the space well.
Noteworthy characteristics: Various cultivars produce colorful and disc-like blossoms, which are decoratively fringed and intensely fragrant. They are equally stunning as single colors, bicolors, or in a mixed palette.
Care: Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun.
Propagation: Sow seed of biennials in summer; plants will bloom the following year.
Problems: Crown rot, slugs, sow bugs, grasshoppers, chipmunks, squirrels, deer.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Attracts Butterflies; Attracts Hummingbirds; Fragrant Flowers; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Early Summer; Late Spring; Spring; Summer
Flower Color Orange/ Salmon Flower; Pink Flower; Purple/ Lavender Flower; White Flower
Uses , Beds and Borders, Cut Flower
Style , Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest , Summer Interest
Type ,Perennials

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