Sweet William Seeds – Dianthus Barbatus

Sweet William Seeds (Dianthus barbatus) are a classic choice for gardeners looking to add vibrant, long-lasting color to flower borders and home landscapes. Known for their beautiful clusters of blooms in rich shades of pink, red, white, and bi-color patterns, Sweet William plants attract pollinators and bring charming, cottage-garden appeal.

These hardy and easy-to-grow biennials thrive in cool climates, produce dense flowering clusters, and are excellent for cut-flower arrangements. With their compact growth habit and bright display, they suit borders, beds, rock gardens, and decorative containers.

Features

• Produces vibrant, colorful blooms ideal for garden borders

• Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies

• Hardy, reliable, and suitable for a wide range of climates

• Compact growth habit perfect for beds, borders, and containers

• Long-lasting flowering period during the cool season

• Works well for cut-flower displays

Specifications

• Botanical Name: Dianthus barbatus

• Common Name: Sweet William

• Plant Type: Biennial (may behave as a short-lived perennial in some zones)

• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy

• Bloom Colors: Pink, red, white, bi-color mixes

• Height: 12–24 inches

• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil Type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

• Germination Time: 10–20 days

• Sowing Method: Direct sow or start indoors

• Season for Planting:

  • Cool-season planting

  • Spring planting: March–May in most regions

  • Fall planting: September–November in mild climates

• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3–9

• Flowering Season:

  • Blooms in late spring to early summer

  • Peak flowering: May–July

• Spacing: 8–12 inches apart

• Water Requirements: Moderate; avoid waterlogging

• Uses: Flower borders, home gardens, edging, containers, cut flowers