Dianthus, Sweet William

Sweet William is the common name for the barbatus species of dianthus and is a favorite spring blooming plant. Although botanically considered a biennial, there has been enough breeding in this genus that many commercial varieties now flower first year from sowing, and are treated by most growers as annuals. Sweet William dianthus has characteristic little flowers with fringed petals of red, pink, purple or violet, with many cultivars offering a pleasing spicy fragrance. There are both dwarf bedding types of Sweet William, as well as taller cut flower varieties.