Sweet William Pinks, Dianthus

Sweet William Pinks Dianthus Seed

Dense flower clusters mingle white, pink, and red
Easy plants adapt to many garden settings
Bright multicolored blooms enliven borders and cottage gardens
Cut clusters add old-fashioned charm to bouquets

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Dianthus barbatus

Days to maturity

1 Year

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

25 Seeds

Zones 3–9 Check your growing zone

About Sweet William Pinks, Dianthus Seed, Dianthus Seed

The Sweet William Dianthus is a spectacular, multi-colored flower that blooms beautiful, bright colors that adds a pop to any garden! This variety will bloom several different colors including white, pink and red. This easy to grow flower and will grow in almost any soil conditions. The Sweet William is a great cut flower to add to bouquets or vases.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Top of Soil

Days to Germination

7–14 days

Germination Type

D - Surface Sow

In-row plant spacing

10-12"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Biennial

Plant Height

12 inches

Growth Habits

Clumping, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

27,313

Color

Pink, Red, White

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Dianthus performs best in full sun and sharply drained soil with open air movement. Remove weeds and improve compacted ground without making it overly rich. Prepare a smooth seed surface because light aids germination and the seed should receive little or no covering.

Planting

Dianthus may be direct-sown in early spring, and many types also perform well from fall or winter sowing. Keep the surface evenly moist until seedlings establish, taking care not to bury light-requiring seed. Indoor starts need bright light and cool conditions. Thin direct-sown seedlings after true leaves appear, or transplant carefully before roots become crowded.

Watering

Water dianthus regularly until established, then irrigate deeply only when the soil becomes dry. Avoid frequent shallow watering and saturated conditions, which encourage weak growth or root disease.

Fertilizer

For dianthus, reserve supplemental fertilizer for weak growth, using a light balanced or bloom formula. Stop if plants become overly leafy, a common sign of excess nitrogen.

Harvesting

Cut dianthus flowers when blooms are well colored and at the opening stage best suited to display. Harvest during the cool morning with clean shears, leaving healthy foliage for continued flowering.

Tips

Pinch young dianthus plants to encourage branching when appropriate, then deadhead regularly to extend flowering. Succession plantings can maintain color after the earliest plants decline.

Pests & Diseases

Fusarium wilt, rust, Alternaria leaf spot, Botrytis, and bacterial spot are notable dianthus diseases. One-sided yellowing or wilt may signal Fusarium and has no cure. Begin with clean seed, rotate flower beds, disinfect cutting tools, and keep propagated plants from touching diseased stock.

Dianthus can attract aphids, thrips, mites, Japanese beetles, slugs, and leaf-chewing caterpillars. Knock off small colonies with water, handpick larger feeders, and reserve labeled treatments for significant damage.