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Annual BiennialBedding

Dianthus barbatus Barbarini Series
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

sweet william Barbarini Series

A series of Sweet Williams usually grown as biennials. Cultivars within the series are available in a range of colours, including lilac, purple, pink, red, salmon and white. All cultivars in the series are compact plants with uniform flowering

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Chalk
Clay
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Purple Red White Green
Summer Pink Purple Red White Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: Skin allergen, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Dianthus can be annuals, evergreen perennials or subshrubs with narrow, often greyish leaves and showy flowers that are frequently fragrant

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots. Dianthus barbatus can be grown from seed, but seed collected from cultivars may result in plants with different characteristics

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Bedding
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Cut flowers
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust, a virus and fusarium wilt

Get involved

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