Dianthus barbatus Mix

The Dianthus barbatus, also known as the Single-flowered Sweet William, is a short-lived perennial, grown as a biennial, producing highly fragrant flowers, usually bicolor and vibrant, with fringed petals in shades of white, violet, pink, crimson, or red, in endless combinations. Very robust, hardy, with relatively slow growth, it forms clumps of glaucous foliage that are very floriferous in late spring and early summer over the course of two years. Perfect for cut flowers, this selection is well-suited for mass planting and self-seeds abundantly. Easy to grow in moist, rich, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

The Dianthus barbatus is a plant from the Caryophyllaceae family that can be found in many temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Although short-lived, it is hardy and often considered a biennial, flowering in its second year after sowing. In the first year, the plant forms a tight basal clump of long, pointed leaves, light green to glaucous in color. The flowering occurs in late spring and early summer. The small flowers, arranged in flat clusters measuring 8 to 15 cm (3.1 - 5.9 in) in diameter, are borne on thin, sturdy stems. Their color, highly variable, often shows a combination of 2 colors, variegated or striated. Some plants may have flowers that change color as they bloom. The fragrance of the flowers is both spicy and sweet, reminiscent of cloves and cinnamon.